DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS IS MAY 1. Digital Games Research Conference 2003 4-6 November 2003 University of Utrecht, The Netherlands -:*:- The inaugural world conference of the Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA) will take place at the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. University of Utrecht, Faculty of Arts, Department of New Media and Digital Culture, is collaborating with DiGRA and numerous academic and other partners in the conference implementation. The conference will include keynote lectures, paper sessions, posters, symposia, workshops and other events. Call for papers The conference will be the first official event of the new interdisciplinary association DiGRA, aiming to promote quality research of games, interdisciplinary collaboration in games research, design and development, and recognition of game studies as an academic field of enquiry. A wide range of approaches is encouraged focussing on research, design and development. We aim at a broad diversity of topics, such as: [Computer Games] On the history of games, game aesthetics (narrative, interactivity) and game play (structure, time, multiplayer platforms). [Design/production] Concerned with the relationship between the designer/producer and the game (programming, project management). [Reception] Reception focuses on the individual players relationship to the computer game: the cognitive, social, psychological and therapeutic effects of games. [Games as an aesthetic phenomenon] On games as art, game-genres and storytelling. On the similarities and differences between computer games and other media [Games as a cultural phenomenon] How games are interpreted, their meaning and significance to the player, their contribution to an understanding of oneself, of relationships with others, and of ones world (gender, ethnicity, nationality). [Games as a social phenomenon] Considers normative aspects of computer gaming and the effects of games on social behaviour. Issues include the effects of computer games on (un)acceptable or (un)desirable behaviour, such as aggression and addiction, and participation and education. There are possibilities to present a paper or poster, give a workshop, organize a symposium or present a game concept/ demo. [Papers] Papers will be limited to 30 minutes, which includes time for questions and comments. Two or three paper presentations will be linked in one session, every session will have a chairperson. [Posters] Posters consist of a large print-out or cd-rom which shows a research project. These are being presented in the main hall and possibly during the Game Fair. [Symposia] Symposia will be limited to 1 hour and 45 minutes. With from two to four presentations on a common theme, followed by discussion. [Workshops] Workshops can be planned during 1-3 sessions of 1 hour and 45 minutes . They should include instructional and working elements. [Game concepts] At a Game Fair, held during the conference, students and art/ non-commercial/ educational game designers can present their work (games or demos) . Participants who would like to present a paper or poster, give a workshop or organize a symposium should submit an abstract in English. Participants who would like to present a game or demo during the Game Fair should submit the game and a short introduction in English. Abstracts have a 300 words maximum and should include a short biography, email and postal address. We encourage participation by students. Deadline for submitting abstracts: 1 May 2003. Abstracts can be submitted by e-mail to: abstracts@gamesconference.org Your abstract or proposal will be reviewed by an international scientific committee for its suitability to the conference. The authors of the selected papers will be asked to write a full article to be published beforehand in the Conference Proceedings. Registration for the Digital Games Research Conference 2003 will open at the end of May. Financial support may be available to participants for whom registration fees and travel costs would present a hardship. Contact/University of Utrecht: info@gamesconference.org Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein Dr. Joost Raessens, Associate Professor Drs. Marinka Copier Contact/DiGRA: Prof. Frans Mäyrä, President; frans.mayra@uta.fi Dr. Jason Rutter, Vice-President; Jason.Rutter@man.ac.uk Celia Peirce, Liaison Officer; celiap@uci.edu -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-