The keynote will be given by British theorist Alfie Bown, author of the books Playstation Dreamworld and Dream Lovers, who asks: Can the left play today? Video game culture researcher Laura op de Beke will discuss the Anthropocene and environmental perspectives in games. And the Austrian group Total Refusal will present their artwork, which explores the subversion of warrior stereotypes in contemporary games.

The international guests will be joined by Czech speakers: Vít Bohal, Kateřina Kovandová, Frag kolektiv and No Fun kolektiv, who will touch upon the relationship between the player and his avatar, queer aspects of gaming and eco-terrorism in Final Fantasy 7.
The conference aims not only to continue describing contemporary issues (the covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the economic crisis), but also to find political content for our shared feelings. Not just doomscrolling, but figuring out how to circumvent the crisis with all seriousness and wit.

The main programme starts on Thursday 26 January at 12:00 in the auditorium of the Academy of Fine Arts. It will be held in English.

The conference will be followed on the second day by an accompanying programme in the form of an open League of Legends tournament, a curated selection of independent art-critical games and a joint reading of related literature.
https://beyondthegaming.avu.cz/

Beyond the Gaming Principle 2023 – On Crisis

Program