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<TITLE>FW: Call for Papers: The Philosophy of Computer Games 2009</TITLE>
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<B>From: </B>John Richard Sageng <<a href="john.richard@SAGENG.NO">john.richard@SAGENG.NO</a>><BR>
<B>Date: </B>Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:47:40 +0100<BR>
<B>Subject: </B>Call for Papers: The Philosophy of Computer Games 2009<BR>
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THE PHILOSOPHY OF COMPUTER GAMES<BR>
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN OSLO 2009<BR>
<BR>
August 13-15, 2009<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
CALL FOR PAPERS<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
We hereby invite scholars in any field who take a professional interest<BR>
in the phenomenon of computer games to submit papers to the<BR>
international conference "The Philosophy of Computer Games 2009", to be<BR>
held in Oslo, Norway, on August 13-15, 2009.<BR>
<BR>
Accepted papers will have a clear focus on philosophy and philosophical<BR>
issues in relation to computer games. They will also attempt to use<BR>
specific examples rather than merely invoke "computer games" in general<BR>
terms. We invite submissions focusing on, but not limited to, the<BR>
following three headings:<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Fictionality and Interaction<BR>
<BR>
Computer games are often conceived as a setting for fictional<BR>
narratives, facts, objects and events, although the interactive setting<BR>
is thought to give fictionality a special character and to be<BR>
intertwined with non-fictional aspects in various ways. We invite papers<BR>
on relevant discussions of fictionality, narrative, fictional objects,<BR>
simulation, virtuality, and kindred cognitive notions like make-believe,<BR>
pretense, and imagination.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Defining Computer Games<BR>
<BR>
Is it possible to point to some defining characteristic(s) of computer<BR>
games? We are especially interested in discussions of formal definitions<BR>
of computer games in terms of characteristics such as rules, play,<BR>
representation, computation, affordances, interaction, negotiable<BR>
consequences, and so on. We welcome both constructive and critical<BR>
discussions, as long as they are directed at clearly articulated proposals.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Ethical and Political Issues<BR>
<BR>
What are the ethical responsibilities of game-makers in relation to<BR>
individual gamers and society in general? What role, if any, can games<BR>
serve as a critical cultural corrective in relation to traditional<BR>
forms of media and communicative practices, for example in economy and<BR>
politics? Also, what is the nature of the ethical norms that apply<BR>
within the gaming context, and what are the factors that allow or<BR>
delimit philosophical justifications of their application there or<BR>
elsewhere?<BR>
<BR>
Your abstract should not exceed 1000 words. If your submission falls<BR>
under one of the three headings, please indicate which one. Send your<BR>
abstract to <a href="submissions@gamephilosophy.org">submissions@gamephilosophy.org</a>. All submitted abstracts will<BR>
be subject to double blind peer review, and the program committee will<BR>
make a final selection of papers for the conference on the basis of<BR>
this. Full manuscripts must be submitted by August 8, and will be made<BR>
available on the conference website.<BR>
<BR>
Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2009. Notification of accepted<BR>
submissions will be sent out by June 10, 2009.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Olav Asheim<BR>
Miguel Sicart<BR>
Frans Mäyrä<BR>
Patrick Coppock<BR>
Sten Ludvigsen<BR>
Ole Ertløv Hansen<BR>
Stephan Güntzel<BR>
Runje Klevjer<BR>
John Richard Sageng<BR>
Ragnhild Tronstad<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
The conference is a collaboration between the following institutions:<BR>
<BR>
• Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas at the<BR>
University of Oslo, Norway<BR>
• Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo, Norway<BR>
• Digital Games Research Center, University of Potsdam, Germany<BR>
• Department of Social, Cognitive and Quantitative Science at the University<BR>
of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Italy<BR>
• Nordic Game Research Network<BR>
• Intermedia, University of Oslo, Norway<BR>
• Games Research Lab, University of Tampere, Finland<BR>
• Center for Computer Games Research at the IT-University of Copenhagen,<BR>
Denmark<BR>
• Philosophical Project Centre (FPS), Oslo, Norway<BR>
• Department of Information Science and Media Studies, University of<BR>
Bergen, Norway<BR>
<BR>
For more information and for pdf-version of the call, visit<BR>
www.gamephilosophy.org<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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