[games_access] I International Conference on Translation and Accessibility in Video Games and Virtual Worlds

[Javier]

A conference in Spain!!  ;)

I'm not part of the organization committee, but I know people there.


I International Conference on Translation and Accessibility in Video Games
and Virtual Worlds



2nd and 3rd December 2010

Transmedia Catalonia Research Group

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain


FIRST CIRCULAR AND CALL FOR PAPERS

We are pleased to invite you to submit a paper to the I International
Conference on Translation and Accessibility in Video Games and Virtual
Worlds to be held by the Transmedia Catalonia Research Group at the
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona on 2-3 December 2010.
Theme of the conference

The widespread use of technologies characteristic of the digital area has
dramatically changed our lives, shaping the way we communicate, access
information, learn, work and entertain ourselves. Due to their interactive
nature, new media have played a key role in the establishment of global
virtual communities and social networks transcending national boundaries,
posing new questions that need to be addressed. How do we interact with this
new media? How have they affected the way we interact with each other? What
is the role of translation in an increasingly globalised world? How can we
ensure that new media are accessible to all and avoid the digital divide?

Issues such as globalisation, intercultural communication, video game and
audiovisual production, audiovisual translation and media accessibility are
well-established research areas. However, there is still a considerable
knowledge gap in the areas of game localization and accessibility, as well
as accessibility to virtual worlds, also known as *metaverses*, and the role
translation plays in them.

To date, academic studies focusing on game localization and accessibility of
games and virtual worlds are few and far between, despite the fact that
further research in localization and accessibility is beneficial to all. The
industry can benefit by reaching the broadest possible audience, while the
audience can benefit from having improved access to games and virtual
worlds. “Access” is used in this context in a broad sense, to refer not only
to users with functional diversity, but also to those who due to age or
skill are not able to play a game successfully, those who do not speak the
original language of the metaverse or game, and those who due to
socioeconomic conditions cannot access games and virtual platforms.
Improving access to games and virtual worlds will foster the inclusion of
different type of users, from language learners to the aged, including those
with sensorial, motor or mental diversity and users deprived from access to
new technologies because of socioeconomic limitations.

A more systematic and interdisciplinary approach bringing together academics
from different disciplines with various research backgrounds and
methodologies, such as translation studies, media studies, psychology,
usability, engineering and computing, human rights, is required to promote
further advances in these areas of study. The I International Conference on
Translation and Accessibility in Video Games and Virtual Worlds aims to be
an interdisciplinary meeting point for all those interested in the fields of
game localisation and accessibility, as well as accessibility and the role
of translation in virtual worlds. This pioneering conference aims at laying
the foundations for future studies in these areas, become a discussion forum
where industry and academia meet and promote interdisciplinary research.
Suggested topics

The I International Conference on Translation and Accessibility in Video
Games and Virtual Worlds  will cover the following topics: game localisation
process, standardisation, quality issues, development and use of specialised
tools, the internationalisation process, cultural adaptation in games,
dubbing and subtitling for games, localization of online games, localization
of mobile games, fan translations, the use of eye-tracking technology for
reception studies, accessibility to games for players with sensorial or
motor diversity, accessibility to games for players with mental diversity,
accessibility to virtual-reality platforms, game audio design, design for
all, the use of adaptive technologies, the use of speech recognition in
virtual platforms, the role of translation in virtual worlds, children’s
human right to play, access to games and virtual platforms in developing
countries, etc.

By means of papers, workshops, roundtables and poster presentations on the
featured topics, we hope to foster new perspectives, reflecting and
anticipating scientific research in these fields in all its complexity.
Key note speakers

Dr. Minako O’Hagan, Dublin City University

Dr. Peter Schultess, University of Ulm
Abstract proposals and deadlines

Abstract proposals (max. 300 words) should be sent by 15th July 2010 to:
VG.VW.translation.accessibility at gmail.com

Date of notification regarding acceptance of abstracts: 6th September 2010.

The abstracts should attached as a WORD document, with the format:
authorname.doc

Please indicate ABSTRACT in the subject line in your e-mail.
Conference Language

The language of the conference will be English.
Information and Contact Details

For all correspondence about the conference please use the e-mail address
VG.VW.translation.accessibility at gmail.com. Please indicate clearly the
subject in the subject line of your e-mail. For example:  "GENERAL
INFORMATION QUERY", "REGISTRATION QUERY", etc.

More information will be available soon from the conference website
http://jornades.uab.cat/videogamesaccess/
Conference Fee and Registration

Early-bird registration (before 30th September 2010): 180 Euro.

After 30th September 2010: 200 Euro.

Contributors are invited to register by 30th September 2010.

Early-bird registration students from the MA in AVT and METAV at UAB:  50
Euro

Student registration after 30th September 2010: 70 Euro.
Organising Committee

Carme Mangiron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona & Dublin City University

Anna Matamala, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Pilar Orero, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Javier Serrano, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Scientific Committee

Max Baldwin, South Asia Programme Officer Plan International UK

Miguel Bernal, University of Roehampton

Heather Chandler, Media Sunshine Game Development Studio

Dimitris Grammenos, Institute of Computer Science (ICS) Foundation for
Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH)

Carme Mangiron, Dublin City University & Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,

Enric Martí, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona* *

Loïc Martínez, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Minako O'Hagan, Dublin City University

Peter Schultess, University of Ulm

Richard van Tol, University of Portsmouth
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