Florence Smith Nicholls
@florencesn.bsky.social
Video game archaeologist + game dev//
PhD on archaeogaming as play preservation + procgen//
Prev: Story Tech @gutefabrik.bsky.social, Planning Archaeologist at Museum of London Archaeology
they/them
💾 florencesmithnicholls.com
PhD on archaeogaming as play preservation + procgen//
Prev: Story Tech @gutefabrik.bsky.social, Planning Archaeologist at Museum of London Archaeology
they/them
💾 florencesmithnicholls.com
Pinned
~Thread of my past publications~
"Virtual Dark Tourism in The Town of Light"
2018, Routledge
In this book chapter I argue that video games marketing a setting associated with historical suffering can be considered dark tourism experiences.
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edi...
"Virtual Dark Tourism in The Town of Light"
2018, Routledge
In this book chapter I argue that video games marketing a setting associated with historical suffering can be considered dark tourism experiences.
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edi...
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
I had the pleasure of (virtually) hosting @florencesn.bsky.social at Unicamp a few years ago, before their research soared to so many new heights.
This talk is not to be missed. And I'm very happy it's going to be recorded so I can watch if later as well!
This talk is not to be missed. And I'm very happy it's going to be recorded so I can watch if later as well!
Friends! On November 19th at 16:00, in Auditorium 3 at the ITU, we are hosting a talk by Florence Smith Nicholls. The talk is titled How to be a video game archaeologist. You can read about it here: digitalplay.itu.dk/event/floren...
How To Be A Video Game Archaeologist - A talk by Florence Smith Nicholls | Center for Digital Play
How To Be A Video Game Archaeologist - A talk by Florence Smith Nicholls
digitalplay.itu.dk
November 10, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I had the pleasure of (virtually) hosting @florencesn.bsky.social at Unicamp a few years ago, before their research soared to so many new heights.
This talk is not to be missed. And I'm very happy it's going to be recorded so I can watch if later as well!
This talk is not to be missed. And I'm very happy it's going to be recorded so I can watch if later as well!
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
When Elden Ring had been announced but not yet released, its subreddit started collectively pretending the game was already out.
I spent far too many hours reading strategies to defeat the (completely made-up) Glaive Master Hodir. For research.
This is the result: doi.org/10.1093/aest...
I spent far too many hours reading strategies to defeat the (completely made-up) Glaive Master Hodir. For research.
This is the result: doi.org/10.1093/aest...
Fictional Game Spectatorship: On Pretend-Play and Collective Imagination in Gaming Communities
Abstract. Fictional games are games that do not actually exist, but that are presented within works of fiction. They are thus not appreciated through play,
doi.org
November 3, 2025 at 10:42 AM
When Elden Ring had been announced but not yet released, its subreddit started collectively pretending the game was already out.
I spent far too many hours reading strategies to defeat the (completely made-up) Glaive Master Hodir. For research.
This is the result: doi.org/10.1093/aest...
I spent far too many hours reading strategies to defeat the (completely made-up) Glaive Master Hodir. For research.
This is the result: doi.org/10.1093/aest...
This talk is online and anyone can sign up to it!
14 November: Digital Lunch with @florencesn.bsky.social
Title: (Not) Dying of Anticipation: Video Game Archaeologies of Contemporary Play 🏺
1pm GMT, sign up to get the zoom link:
forms.gle/xQGo4rJwk5iG...
Title: (Not) Dying of Anticipation: Video Game Archaeologies of Contemporary Play 🏺
1pm GMT, sign up to get the zoom link:
forms.gle/xQGo4rJwk5iG...
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
This talk is online and anyone can sign up to it!
Yes I am giving three different talks based on my PhD research in the next couple weeks
November 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Yes I am giving three different talks based on my PhD research in the next couple weeks
Oh hey, that's me! Very much looking forward to giving this talk at ITU next week!
Friends! On November 19th at 16:00, in Auditorium 3 at the ITU, we are hosting a talk by Florence Smith Nicholls. The talk is titled How to be a video game archaeologist. You can read about it here: digitalplay.itu.dk/event/floren...
How To Be A Video Game Archaeologist - A talk by Florence Smith Nicholls | Center for Digital Play
How To Be A Video Game Archaeologist - A talk by Florence Smith Nicholls
digitalplay.itu.dk
November 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Oh hey, that's me! Very much looking forward to giving this talk at ITU next week!
Dug up an artefact
November 9, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Dug up an artefact
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Welcome to my Year 1 Semester 1 MFA fucking around.
It's short 'cus I had too much coursework to do, but hey, the bar for video game in academia is in hell and this is at least above dirt.
Enjoy the feeling of being trapped on a road trip. It's nice, but you're still trapped.
It's short 'cus I had too much coursework to do, but hey, the bar for video game in academia is in hell and this is at least above dirt.
Enjoy the feeling of being trapped on a road trip. It's nice, but you're still trapped.
TRIPtych by Meagan Byrne
A short experince of being trapped on a road trip
byrneout.itch.io
November 8, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Welcome to my Year 1 Semester 1 MFA fucking around.
It's short 'cus I had too much coursework to do, but hey, the bar for video game in academia is in hell and this is at least above dirt.
Enjoy the feeling of being trapped on a road trip. It's nice, but you're still trapped.
It's short 'cus I had too much coursework to do, but hey, the bar for video game in academia is in hell and this is at least above dirt.
Enjoy the feeling of being trapped on a road trip. It's nice, but you're still trapped.
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
A plea for help. 🙏
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
November 8, 2025 at 12:42 AM
A plea for help. 🙏
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Doing some clearing out ahead of the festive season and found this throwback to when I replayed the original Legend of Zelda as Nintendo intended.
November 8, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Doing some clearing out ahead of the festive season and found this throwback to when I replayed the original Legend of Zelda as Nintendo intended.
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Can’t thank Esther enough for inviting me to contribute to this collection! It was a real treat to contribute to an academic book from the perspective as both a historian and a game developer.
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Can’t thank Esther enough for inviting me to contribute to this collection! It was a real treat to contribute to an academic book from the perspective as both a historian and a game developer.
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
No Stone Left Unturned: Archaeogaming, Archives, Audiences
By blending archives, interactive gameplay, and social media, Louise Bedford explores how archaeology can connect with younger audiences, spark curiosity, and make the past feel alive.
Watch the talk here 👉 youtu.be/pkso3uaEU5Q?...
By blending archives, interactive gameplay, and social media, Louise Bedford explores how archaeology can connect with younger audiences, spark curiosity, and make the past feel alive.
Watch the talk here 👉 youtu.be/pkso3uaEU5Q?...
November 7, 2025 at 6:03 PM
No Stone Left Unturned: Archaeogaming, Archives, Audiences
By blending archives, interactive gameplay, and social media, Louise Bedford explores how archaeology can connect with younger audiences, spark curiosity, and make the past feel alive.
Watch the talk here 👉 youtu.be/pkso3uaEU5Q?...
By blending archives, interactive gameplay, and social media, Louise Bedford explores how archaeology can connect with younger audiences, spark curiosity, and make the past feel alive.
Watch the talk here 👉 youtu.be/pkso3uaEU5Q?...
I went as a Future Class member and honestly the view is better watching from your laptop at home
I asked about Game Awards press tickets in October. Got an email yesterday encouraging me to buy my own, as there were no spares.
November 7, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I went as a Future Class member and honestly the view is better watching from your laptop at home
Next Friday 14th at 1pm GMT I'll be giving the Digital Lunch talk in the University of York Digital Archaeology and Heritage Lab, King's Manor, G/60 or online on "(Not) Dying of Anticipation: Video Game Archaeologies of Contemporary Play"
November 7, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Next Friday 14th at 1pm GMT I'll be giving the Digital Lunch talk in the University of York Digital Archaeology and Heritage Lab, King's Manor, G/60 or online on "(Not) Dying of Anticipation: Video Game Archaeologies of Contemporary Play"
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
An eternal (and monthly) championing of the underground game scene, it's Indiepocalypse #70!
-10 curated games for $15!
-Zine!
-Newly commissioned game by
@dorukb.bsky.social
-Cover by @fairywarriorcat.bsky.social
pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-70
-10 curated games for $15!
-Zine!
-Newly commissioned game by
@dorukb.bsky.social
-Cover by @fairywarriorcat.bsky.social
pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-70
November 7, 2025 at 5:47 PM
An eternal (and monthly) championing of the underground game scene, it's Indiepocalypse #70!
-10 curated games for $15!
-Zine!
-Newly commissioned game by
@dorukb.bsky.social
-Cover by @fairywarriorcat.bsky.social
pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-70
-10 curated games for $15!
-Zine!
-Newly commissioned game by
@dorukb.bsky.social
-Cover by @fairywarriorcat.bsky.social
pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-70
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Sharing the final version of my Ceffyl Dwr for #FolkloreFriday. Absolutely loved making this needle felt creation and getting really into the wire frame modelling
November 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Sharing the final version of my Ceffyl Dwr for #FolkloreFriday. Absolutely loved making this needle felt creation and getting really into the wire frame modelling
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
If you were a member of The Game Awards Future Class and can speak to your experience, I want to chat with you for The Guardian!
DM me, or email alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Signal boost please!
DM me, or email alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Signal boost please!
November 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
If you were a member of The Game Awards Future Class and can speak to your experience, I want to chat with you for The Guardian!
DM me, or email alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Signal boost please!
DM me, or email alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Signal boost please!
In light of the Future Class news, may I suggest you watch and share the documentary "Blood on our Controllers -The Complicity of the Game Industry in the Palestinian Genocide" that fellow alumni @pyrofoux.bsky.social worked on:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g748...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g748...
The blood on our Controllers - The Complicity of the Game Industry in the Palestinian Genocide
YouTube video by Hippolyte 🪐
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 PM
In light of the Future Class news, may I suggest you watch and share the documentary "Blood on our Controllers -The Complicity of the Game Industry in the Palestinian Genocide" that fellow alumni @pyrofoux.bsky.social worked on:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g748...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g748...
Oh I love this idea
Best of luck today to everyone beginning their 'one-day-a-day' playthrough!
And if you haven't already started Blue Prince, today is the perfect day to begin your adventure : store.steampowered.com/app/1569580/...
And if you haven't already started Blue Prince, today is the perfect day to begin your adventure : store.steampowered.com/app/1569580/...
November 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Oh I love this idea
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Still thinking about the “official” 2023 Future Class meetup after we had to pay for our own travel to LA/hotel/tickets to the Game Awards, only to stand on a sidewalk outside a Starbucks where they wouldn’t even cover the cost of our shitty coffees 🫠
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the...
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the...
The Game Awards' Future Class program remains on ice
Future Class organizer Emily Weir has informed past honorees that The Game Awards has no active plans for the program.
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Still thinking about the “official” 2023 Future Class meetup after we had to pay for our own travel to LA/hotel/tickets to the Game Awards, only to stand on a sidewalk outside a Starbucks where they wouldn’t even cover the cost of our shitty coffees 🫠
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the...
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the...
I didn't realise they had removed online records of past honourees. That is dissapointing, but not suprising
The Game Awards' Future Class program remains on ice
The Game Awards' Future Class program remains on ice
Has Geoff Keighley made Future Class a thing of the past?
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I didn't realise they had removed online records of past honourees. That is dissapointing, but not suprising
So excited to see this piece about a larp that's very close to my heart (and a lovely mention of my Eurogamer article)
"It's not a tomb. It's a town. And it will always be."
Czech larp group, Rolling, are based out of a former Nazi concentration camp hospital. Their performances embrace the complications and pain of that history.
Czech larp group, Rolling, are based out of a former Nazi concentration camp hospital. Their performances embrace the complications and pain of that history.
A Czech larp group wrestles with Nazi history by roleplaying in its bones
Exploring Disco Elysium and the power of art in a former concentration camp.
www.rascal.news
November 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM
So excited to see this piece about a larp that's very close to my heart (and a lovely mention of my Eurogamer article)
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Furry Studies 2025 was an academic conference in the same way Room Party was a contemporary art show. Which is to say, we did it on our terms - silly but serious, personal and political, playful yet powerful. Feral.
From now on, this is a conversation between furries, not about us.
From now on, this is a conversation between furries, not about us.
November 6, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Furry Studies 2025 was an academic conference in the same way Room Party was a contemporary art show. Which is to say, we did it on our terms - silly but serious, personal and political, playful yet powerful. Feral.
From now on, this is a conversation between furries, not about us.
From now on, this is a conversation between furries, not about us.
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
I've spoken about it a lot but I'll say it again: Florence's work on preserving Wurm Online using a 'walk-along' method is sooooo good. If you're near Manchester, you gotta go to this!
Come along to my talk "Preservation by Record: Video Game Archaeology as Play Preservation" at Manchester Game Centre next week!
Next week, the Manchester Game Centre has the pleasure to welcome @florencesn.bsky.social, who’ll be talking about their work on archaeology and play preservation. The talk is in person only, but anybody is welcome to attend. Details here: manchestergamecentre.org/events/2025/...
November 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I've spoken about it a lot but I'll say it again: Florence's work on preserving Wurm Online using a 'walk-along' method is sooooo good. If you're near Manchester, you gotta go to this!
Come along to my talk "Preservation by Record: Video Game Archaeology as Play Preservation" at Manchester Game Centre next week!
Next week, the Manchester Game Centre has the pleasure to welcome @florencesn.bsky.social, who’ll be talking about their work on archaeology and play preservation. The talk is in person only, but anybody is welcome to attend. Details here: manchestergamecentre.org/events/2025/...
Preservation By Record: Video Game Archaeology as Play Preservation — Manchester Game Centre
MMU, Geoffrey Manton 327 4.00–5.30pm Florence Smith Nicholls (Queen Mary University) Video game archaeology, or archaeogaming, broadly refers to the study of how the past is represented in the mediu...
manchestergamecentre.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Come along to my talk "Preservation by Record: Video Game Archaeology as Play Preservation" at Manchester Game Centre next week!
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
hey y'all! my questionnaire on player experience in historical videogames is now LIVE! if you play videogames about the past, we want to hear from you! edu.nl/7w3yn
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
hey y'all! my questionnaire on player experience in historical videogames is now LIVE! if you play videogames about the past, we want to hear from you! edu.nl/7w3yn