Dr. Emma Vossen
@emmavphd.bsky.social
🎮Assistant Professor, Game Studies, Brock University
📚"Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be" (2025) and "Feminism in Play" (2018).
End the Genocide. Free Palestine 🍉
📚"Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be" (2025) and "Feminism in Play" (2018).
End the Genocide. Free Palestine 🍉
Pinned
Dr. Emma Vossen
@emmavphd.bsky.social
· Aug 12
Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be – punctum books
punctumbooks.com
After 5 years of hard work by @sparklebliss.bsky.social, @cmejeur.bsky.social, @onlyalishak.bsky.social, myself, our contributors, and the lovely people at @punctumbooks.bsky.social Historiographies of Game Studies is out NOW! You can read all 780 pages for FREE. 🔓
punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
I've been slowly making my way through this collection and it's quite good. Should be required reading for anyone who talks about games for a living. Also a painful read as someone who left the academy in part because of how impoverished the support for my work was.
punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be – punctum books
punctumbooks.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I've been slowly making my way through this collection and it's quite good. Should be required reading for anyone who talks about games for a living. Also a painful read as someone who left the academy in part because of how impoverished the support for my work was.
punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
Incidentally, if anyone wants to commission a piece that talks about how the narratives in this book speak to the persistent rift between academic game studies and popular games criticism, hit me the fuck up.
I've been slowly making my way through this collection and it's quite good. Should be required reading for anyone who talks about games for a living. Also a painful read as someone who left the academy in part because of how impoverished the support for my work was.
punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be – punctum books
punctumbooks.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Incidentally, if anyone wants to commission a piece that talks about how the narratives in this book speak to the persistent rift between academic game studies and popular games criticism, hit me the fuck up.
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
Elon Musk's bad Lord of the Rings tweets have Tolkien scholars horrified. from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social, magnificent art by @anjalinair.bsky.social
Elon Musk Really Doesn't Get 'The Lord of the Rings'
Musk has recently used Tolkien references to push anti-immigration messaging, as has the Department of Homeland security. They've got it all backwards.
www.wired.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Elon Musk's bad Lord of the Rings tweets have Tolkien scholars horrified. from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social, magnificent art by @anjalinair.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
I was interviewed for this article in Wired about how the far right is using and abusing LOTR in their social posts to gain support for their bullshit:
Musk and the DHS have used “The Lord of the Rings” references to push anti-immigration messaging, seemingly positioning themselves as underdogs to justify oppression. www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk and the Trump Administration Really Don’t Get Tolkien
Musk and the DHS have used “The Lord of the Rings” references to push anti-immigration messaging, seemingly positioning themselves as underdogs to justify oppression.
www.wired.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I was interviewed for this article in Wired about how the far right is using and abusing LOTR in their social posts to gain support for their bullshit:
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
The blood on our Controllers - The Complicity of the Game Industry in the Palestinian Genocide
Is OUT!!
youtu.be/g7488to6Jpc?...
Is OUT!!
youtu.be/g7488to6Jpc?...
The blood on our Controllers - The Complicity of the Game Industry in the Palestinian Genocide
YouTube video by Hippolyte 🪐
youtu.be
November 25, 2024 at 2:49 PM
The blood on our Controllers - The Complicity of the Game Industry in the Palestinian Genocide
Is OUT!!
youtu.be/g7488to6Jpc?...
Is OUT!!
youtu.be/g7488to6Jpc?...
Just beat this one! Loved it and will be playing again! 🎲🎲🎲🎲
My rogue-like dice-builder Dead Finger Dice: The Billionaire Killing Game is out now on Steam!
██▓▒░⡷⠂𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙶𝙰𝙼𝙴 𝙱𝙴𝙶𝙸𝙽𝚂⠐⢾░▒▓██
#indiegame #gamedev #deadfingerdice #roguelike
store.steampowered.com/app/3512300/...
#indiegame #gamedev #deadfingerdice #roguelike
store.steampowered.com/app/3512300/...
November 4, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Just beat this one! Loved it and will be playing again! 🎲🎲🎲🎲
I was interviewed for this article in Wired about how the far right is using and abusing LOTR in their social posts to gain support for their bullshit:
Musk and the DHS have used “The Lord of the Rings” references to push anti-immigration messaging, seemingly positioning themselves as underdogs to justify oppression. www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk and the Trump Administration Really Don’t Get Tolkien
Musk and the DHS have used “The Lord of the Rings” references to push anti-immigration messaging, seemingly positioning themselves as underdogs to justify oppression.
www.wired.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I was interviewed for this article in Wired about how the far right is using and abusing LOTR in their social posts to gain support for their bullshit:
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
Actual Tolkien nerd @johnsemley3000.bsky.social went deep on how poorly Elon Musk, MAGA, and other right-wing tech bros understand the Lord of the Rings. And can we all just admire this art by @anjalinair.bsky.social: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk Really Doesn't Get 'The Lord of the Rings'
Musk has recently used Tolkien references to push anti-immigration messaging, as has the Department of Homeland security. They've got it all backwards.
www.wired.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Actual Tolkien nerd @johnsemley3000.bsky.social went deep on how poorly Elon Musk, MAGA, and other right-wing tech bros understand the Lord of the Rings. And can we all just admire this art by @anjalinair.bsky.social: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
A sneaky weekend drop of the new GAME STUDIES STUDY BUDDIES, in which we spend 3 hours talking about a book that is 80 pages long! It's worth it, though, as few texts have been as impactful on how we talk about our present moment as Mark Fisher's CAPITALIST REALISM:
rangedtouch.com/2025/10/31/8...
rangedtouch.com/2025/10/31/8...
November 1, 2025 at 7:21 PM
A sneaky weekend drop of the new GAME STUDIES STUDY BUDDIES, in which we spend 3 hours talking about a book that is 80 pages long! It's worth it, though, as few texts have been as impactful on how we talk about our present moment as Mark Fisher's CAPITALIST REALISM:
rangedtouch.com/2025/10/31/8...
rangedtouch.com/2025/10/31/8...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has accused Rockstar of union busting after the studio reportedly dismissed 30 to 40 employees last Thursday (October 30)
www.gamesindustry.biz/iwgb-accuses...
www.gamesindustry.biz/iwgb-accuses...
IWGB accuses Rockstar of union busting following reported dismissal of over 30 employees
Workers affected were "either members of the union or attempting to organise" at Rockstar, IWGB claims
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has accused Rockstar of union busting after the studio reportedly dismissed 30 to 40 employees last Thursday (October 30)
www.gamesindustry.biz/iwgb-accuses...
www.gamesindustry.biz/iwgb-accuses...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
More than 1,200 video game journalists have left major publications in the past two years, and not returned to the media, according to data supplied to VGC.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/more-th...
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/more-th...
More than 1,200 games journalists have left the media in the last two years | VGC
According to Press Engine data, the global pool of games journalists has shrunk by 25%
www.videogameschronicle.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:09 PM
More than 1,200 video game journalists have left major publications in the past two years, and not returned to the media, according to data supplied to VGC.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/more-th...
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/more-th...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
Save 50% on #NewBook Indigenomicon by Jodi Byrd @arsavium.bsky.social, which brings video game studies and Indigenous studies into conversation with Black studies, queer studies, and Indigenous feminist critique. buff.ly/FBknSYW
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Save 50% on #NewBook Indigenomicon by Jodi Byrd @arsavium.bsky.social, which brings video game studies and Indigenous studies into conversation with Black studies, queer studies, and Indigenous feminist critique. buff.ly/FBknSYW
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
Hi, I spent 10+ years researching all sorts of PC RPGs: AAAs, indies, RPG Maker, non-English, etc. Together with 167 volunteers, I created/edited The CRPG Book: crpgbook.wordpress.com
You can download it for free, or buy a hardcover edition from Bitmap Books - ALL author's revenue goes to charity!❤️
You can download it for free, or buy a hardcover edition from Bitmap Books - ALL author's revenue goes to charity!❤️
The CRPG Book Project
The CRPG Book Project is a collaborative, non-profit effort to create an ebook on the history of Computer Role-Playing Games.
crpgbook.wordpress.com
September 3, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Hi, I spent 10+ years researching all sorts of PC RPGs: AAAs, indies, RPG Maker, non-English, etc. Together with 167 volunteers, I created/edited The CRPG Book: crpgbook.wordpress.com
You can download it for free, or buy a hardcover edition from Bitmap Books - ALL author's revenue goes to charity!❤️
You can download it for free, or buy a hardcover edition from Bitmap Books - ALL author's revenue goes to charity!❤️
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
So, today I'm announcing a new book project... and doing a call for papers: crpgbook.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/t...
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
The Video Game History Expansion Pack – Pitch your story
Today I’m putting my money where my mouth is and launching a new project — a book focused on game history outside of the usual North American perspectives.
crpgbook.wordpress.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:11 PM
So, today I'm announcing a new book project... and doing a call for papers: crpgbook.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/t...
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a blood-curdling 55% off in the Steam Halloween sale!
A perfect time to play our folk horror adventure game inspired by movies such as The Wicker Man & the works of M.R. James, with a little pinch of Twin Peaks and Lovecraft.
store.steampowered.com/app/1182310/...
A perfect time to play our folk horror adventure game inspired by movies such as The Wicker Man & the works of M.R. James, with a little pinch of Twin Peaks and Lovecraft.
store.steampowered.com/app/1182310/...
October 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a blood-curdling 55% off in the Steam Halloween sale!
A perfect time to play our folk horror adventure game inspired by movies such as The Wicker Man & the works of M.R. James, with a little pinch of Twin Peaks and Lovecraft.
store.steampowered.com/app/1182310/...
A perfect time to play our folk horror adventure game inspired by movies such as The Wicker Man & the works of M.R. James, with a little pinch of Twin Peaks and Lovecraft.
store.steampowered.com/app/1182310/...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
I have an upcoming guest lecture at UDelaware on my usual schtick - violence prevention in games both commercial and serious. Come hang out if you want to hear me on my soapbox! (do I need more than one headshot plz say no) 🫥 events.udel.edu/event/games-...
"Games for Gender-based Violence Prevention" with Kenzie Gordon
events.udel.edu
October 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I have an upcoming guest lecture at UDelaware on my usual schtick - violence prevention in games both commercial and serious. Come hang out if you want to hear me on my soapbox! (do I need more than one headshot plz say no) 🫥 events.udel.edu/event/games-...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
When @wired.com made FOIA-based stories free, subscriptions went up.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
Wired and 404 Media make FOIA reporting free. Other news outlets should too
We spoke to Katie Drummond of Wired, Joseph Cox of 404 Media, and Lauren Harper of Freedom of the Press Foundation about the case for unpaywalling public records-based reporting
freedom.press
October 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
When @wired.com made FOIA-based stories free, subscriptions went up.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
This interview with Janet Murray on the misogyny and masculinist attitudes in game studies is deeply depressing. But rings entirely true.
www.jstor.org/stable/jj.31...
www.jstor.org/stable/jj.31...
1 The Past, Present, and Future of Game Studies: An Interview with Janet H. Murray An Interview with Janet H. Murray from Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be on J...
JSTOR is a digital library of academic journals, books, and primary sources.
www.jstor.org
October 28, 2025 at 9:33 AM
This interview with Janet Murray on the misogyny and masculinist attitudes in game studies is deeply depressing. But rings entirely true.
www.jstor.org/stable/jj.31...
www.jstor.org/stable/jj.31...
@johnsemley3000.bsky.social Hey John! Someone sent me your post on Twitter asking for an academic to talk about memes and LOTR! I'm locked out of my account over there but if you DM me here I'm happy to chat and give you my email!
October 29, 2025 at 9:48 PM
@johnsemley3000.bsky.social Hey John! Someone sent me your post on Twitter asking for an academic to talk about memes and LOTR! I'm locked out of my account over there but if you DM me here I'm happy to chat and give you my email!
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
🔴 LIVE NOW: Join us for this timely discussion about making FOIA-based reporting free at this defining moment in our history.
Featuring @404media.co’s @josephcox.bsky.social, @wired.com’s @katie-drummond.bsky.social, and FPF’s @caitlinvogus.bsky.social and @laurenleharper.bsky.social.
Featuring @404media.co’s @josephcox.bsky.social, @wired.com’s @katie-drummond.bsky.social, and FPF’s @caitlinvogus.bsky.social and @laurenleharper.bsky.social.
Unpaywalled: The case for making public records-based reporting free
YouTube video by Freedom of the Press Foundation
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
🔴 LIVE NOW: Join us for this timely discussion about making FOIA-based reporting free at this defining moment in our history.
Featuring @404media.co’s @josephcox.bsky.social, @wired.com’s @katie-drummond.bsky.social, and FPF’s @caitlinvogus.bsky.social and @laurenleharper.bsky.social.
Featuring @404media.co’s @josephcox.bsky.social, @wired.com’s @katie-drummond.bsky.social, and FPF’s @caitlinvogus.bsky.social and @laurenleharper.bsky.social.
Next time someone asks me why I, as an assistant professor with a PhD, would spend my time researching the connections between games culture and larger political culture, I am just going to show them these two images.
October 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Next time someone asks me why I, as an assistant professor with a PhD, would spend my time researching the connections between games culture and larger political culture, I am just going to show them these two images.
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
Hey so the thing I alluded in my latest essay? That's out now, for free!
This is a project we've been working on for over a year at this point, and I'm so happy to see it out. Weird to see my name next to some amazing writers and scholars like this! playstorypress.org/books/the-ps...
This is a project we've been working on for over a year at this point, and I'm so happy to see it out. Weird to see my name next to some amazing writers and scholars like this! playstorypress.org/books/the-ps...
July 13, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Hey so the thing I alluded in my latest essay? That's out now, for free!
This is a project we've been working on for over a year at this point, and I'm so happy to see it out. Weird to see my name next to some amazing writers and scholars like this! playstorypress.org/books/the-ps...
This is a project we've been working on for over a year at this point, and I'm so happy to see it out. Weird to see my name next to some amazing writers and scholars like this! playstorypress.org/books/the-ps...
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Call for Contributions - Fictions | Historical Games Network
Our theme of Fictions started with a HGN | IWM panel at the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious Festival. You can read more about the event on the Historical Games Network blog and you can watch the ...
www.historicalgames.net
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Reposted by Dr. Emma Vossen
In This article “Weak Men and Strong Women,” Kenzie Gordon and Sarah Stang critically examine how two major franchises, Tomb Raider and The Witcher 3, handle gender-based violence, arguing that their portrayals reinforce harmful stereotypes ⚔️
Studies in the Fantastic: muse.jhu.edu/article/970184
Studies in the Fantastic: muse.jhu.edu/article/970184
October 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
In This article “Weak Men and Strong Women,” Kenzie Gordon and Sarah Stang critically examine how two major franchises, Tomb Raider and The Witcher 3, handle gender-based violence, arguing that their portrayals reinforce harmful stereotypes ⚔️
Studies in the Fantastic: muse.jhu.edu/article/970184
Studies in the Fantastic: muse.jhu.edu/article/970184