Tom Apperley
@t0mm7.bsky.social
Senior Research Fellow @CoEGameCult | Docent in Media Studies @utu.fi | Secretary of DiGRA | #dnd #gamecultures #gender #misogyny #platforms #playboy #porn #righttoplay #ukgamescene (he/his).
Darshana Jayemanne and my 2012 article "Game Studies Material Turn" from Westminster Papers In Communication just hit 200 citations on google scholar
www.westminsterpapers.org/article/id/1...
#gamestudies
www.westminsterpapers.org/article/id/1...
#gamestudies
November 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Darshana Jayemanne and my 2012 article "Game Studies Material Turn" from Westminster Papers In Communication just hit 200 citations on google scholar
www.westminsterpapers.org/article/id/1...
#gamestudies
www.westminsterpapers.org/article/id/1...
#gamestudies
Tiresome "liberal" Bill Maher licks chocolate off artist Karen Finley in this July '99 feature in Playboy.
November 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Tiresome "liberal" Bill Maher licks chocolate off artist Karen Finley in this July '99 feature in Playboy.
Reposted by Tom Apperley
📞🎮 Sidetalking: Nokia’s playful design gone sideways
Heikki Jungman, @t0mm7.bsky.social, Niklas Nylund & @sotamaa.bsky.social revisit the N-Gage’s sideways-calling feature.
💡 The article shows how cultural misalignment, not tech flaws, doomed it.
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Heikki Jungman, @t0mm7.bsky.social, Niklas Nylund & @sotamaa.bsky.social revisit the N-Gage’s sideways-calling feature.
💡 The article shows how cultural misalignment, not tech flaws, doomed it.
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 3, 2025 at 10:37 AM
📞🎮 Sidetalking: Nokia’s playful design gone sideways
Heikki Jungman, @t0mm7.bsky.social, Niklas Nylund & @sotamaa.bsky.social revisit the N-Gage’s sideways-calling feature.
💡 The article shows how cultural misalignment, not tech flaws, doomed it.
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Heikki Jungman, @t0mm7.bsky.social, Niklas Nylund & @sotamaa.bsky.social revisit the N-Gage’s sideways-calling feature.
💡 The article shows how cultural misalignment, not tech flaws, doomed it.
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
New #openaccess article in @mobilemediacomm.bsky.social
"Sidetalking: Domesticating Nokia's playful designed identity"
On the Nokia mobile gaming platform: the Nokia NGage, released 2003.
A THREAD.
Download: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
#gamestudies #platformstudies
"Sidetalking: Domesticating Nokia's playful designed identity"
On the Nokia mobile gaming platform: the Nokia NGage, released 2003.
A THREAD.
Download: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
#gamestudies #platformstudies
October 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM
New #openaccess article in @mobilemediacomm.bsky.social
"Sidetalking: Domesticating Nokia's playful designed identity"
On the Nokia mobile gaming platform: the Nokia NGage, released 2003.
A THREAD.
Download: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
#gamestudies #platformstudies
"Sidetalking: Domesticating Nokia's playful designed identity"
On the Nokia mobile gaming platform: the Nokia NGage, released 2003.
A THREAD.
Download: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
#gamestudies #platformstudies
Reposted by Tom Apperley
The CFP for DiGRA 2026 is now live! 🎉
www.digraconference2026.com
Submissions (papers & abstracts) are open until 1 Dec 2025.
www.digraconference2026.com
Submissions (papers & abstracts) are open until 1 Dec 2025.
DiGRA 2026 Conference | Maynooth University
Join the DiGRA 2026 conference at Maynooth University, 14–18 June 2026. Theme “Intersectional Pleasures.” A global hybrid event for game research, culture, design, and industry.
www.digraconference2026.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The CFP for DiGRA 2026 is now live! 🎉
www.digraconference2026.com
Submissions (papers & abstracts) are open until 1 Dec 2025.
www.digraconference2026.com
Submissions (papers & abstracts) are open until 1 Dec 2025.
UK Gamescenes Symposium will take place in Tampere/Hybrid on 16th September. Program and details for joining are attached. 1/2
Features work from skypeeps @digdems.bsky.social @nitessine.bsky.social @merilainen.bsky.social @rosgakori.bsky.social @vkankainen.bsky.social
Features work from skypeeps @digdems.bsky.social @nitessine.bsky.social @merilainen.bsky.social @rosgakori.bsky.social @vkankainen.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
UK Gamescenes Symposium will take place in Tampere/Hybrid on 16th September. Program and details for joining are attached. 1/2
Features work from skypeeps @digdems.bsky.social @nitessine.bsky.social @merilainen.bsky.social @rosgakori.bsky.social @vkankainen.bsky.social
Features work from skypeeps @digdems.bsky.social @nitessine.bsky.social @merilainen.bsky.social @rosgakori.bsky.social @vkankainen.bsky.social
Fuckin' legend!
The #HugoAward for Best Related Work goes to Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right, Jordan S. Carroll (University of Minnesota Press). “Insist that tomorrow belongs to everyone.”
August 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Fuckin' legend!
Reposted by Tom Apperley
Open Call for Papers 2025🥰📢
Press Start is currently seeking full-length game studies papers from current grad students/recent grads. Submit by November 10, 2025, for a potential spot in our 2026 issue!
More details below in this thread👇
#CallForPapers #GameStudies
Press Start is currently seeking full-length game studies papers from current grad students/recent grads. Submit by November 10, 2025, for a potential spot in our 2026 issue!
More details below in this thread👇
#CallForPapers #GameStudies
August 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Open Call for Papers 2025🥰📢
Press Start is currently seeking full-length game studies papers from current grad students/recent grads. Submit by November 10, 2025, for a potential spot in our 2026 issue!
More details below in this thread👇
#CallForPapers #GameStudies
Press Start is currently seeking full-length game studies papers from current grad students/recent grads. Submit by November 10, 2025, for a potential spot in our 2026 issue!
More details below in this thread👇
#CallForPapers #GameStudies
Reposted by Tom Apperley
Sharing this again because the deadline is coming up on the 8th.
CFP Hybrid Symposium: The UK Tabletop Role-Playing Game Scene – Histories, Cultures, and Legacies - 16th September, @coegamecult.bsky.social Tampere University, Finland (and online)
Full details in attachments.
#ttrpg #boardgames #wargames #minatures #gamebooks #videogames #history #gamestudies
Full details in attachments.
#ttrpg #boardgames #wargames #minatures #gamebooks #videogames #history #gamestudies
August 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Sharing this again because the deadline is coming up on the 8th.
If its deliberate, its genius that the Intersecting "Axes of Privilege, Discrimination and Oppression" kinda look like an asshole, if not, a fortuitous coincidence.
August 7, 2025 at 6:23 AM
If its deliberate, its genius that the Intersecting "Axes of Privilege, Discrimination and Oppression" kinda look like an asshole, if not, a fortuitous coincidence.
Reposted by Tom Apperley
Mastercard and VISA should cancel the Vatican.
Rev. Carlo Alberto Capella was released from prison and quietly returned to work after being convicted of possessing and distributing child pornography while serving as a Vatican diplomat, according to reports on Catholic blogs.
A convicted priest is back at work. Child advocates want Pope Leo to act.
Carlo Alberto Capella served prison time for a child pornography conviction but was allowed to return to work at the Vatican, posing a test for Pope Leo XIV.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Mastercard and VISA should cancel the Vatican.
Elizabeth Loftus was the co-author of "Minds at Play," one of the first scholarly books on video games, was also an expert on 'false-memory syndrome,' and was an expert witness at the trials of Harvey Weinstein and Ghislaine Maxwell:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabe...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabe...
August 2, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Elizabeth Loftus was the co-author of "Minds at Play," one of the first scholarly books on video games, was also an expert on 'false-memory syndrome,' and was an expert witness at the trials of Harvey Weinstein and Ghislaine Maxwell:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabe...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabe...
Sharing this again because the deadline is coming up on the 8th.
CFP Hybrid Symposium: The UK Tabletop Role-Playing Game Scene – Histories, Cultures, and Legacies - 16th September, @coegamecult.bsky.social Tampere University, Finland (and online)
Full details in attachments.
#ttrpg #boardgames #wargames #minatures #gamebooks #videogames #history #gamestudies
Full details in attachments.
#ttrpg #boardgames #wargames #minatures #gamebooks #videogames #history #gamestudies
August 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Sharing this again because the deadline is coming up on the 8th.
In the 2000s, women and girls were widely recognised as game consumers and a demographic where more consumers could potentially be recruited, given the right marketing. #ParisHilton was one of many influencers/celebrities involved with product placements and guest appearances. A tribute 🎩🙂
July 30, 2025 at 6:53 AM
In the 2000s, women and girls were widely recognised as game consumers and a demographic where more consumers could potentially be recruited, given the right marketing. #ParisHilton was one of many influencers/celebrities involved with product placements and guest appearances. A tribute 🎩🙂
Reposted by Tom Apperley
Maintaining a physical museum is expensive, but as the online world grows more hostile to educational content, a place like the Vagina Museum is essential. You can support our work by donating, becoming a member or volunteering - find out more here www.vaginamuseum.co.uk/support
Get Involved — Vagina Museum
www.vaginamuseum.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Maintaining a physical museum is expensive, but as the online world grows more hostile to educational content, a place like the Vagina Museum is essential. You can support our work by donating, becoming a member or volunteering - find out more here www.vaginamuseum.co.uk/support
July 26, 2025 at 10:03 AM
OnlyBans: the Game: "Can your booty beat the system? OnlyBans is a game about sex workers and erotic content creators battling censorship, shadowbanning, and other threats to their digital freedom."
Presciently not hosted on #Steam or itch.io
onlybansgame.com/wp/
Presciently not hosted on #Steam or itch.io
onlybansgame.com/wp/
The Game - OnlyBans
Can your booty beat the system? OnlyBans is a game about battling censorship, shadowbanning, & threats to digital freedom in sex work.
onlybansgame.com
July 26, 2025 at 6:33 AM
OnlyBans: the Game: "Can your booty beat the system? OnlyBans is a game about sex workers and erotic content creators battling censorship, shadowbanning, and other threats to their digital freedom."
Presciently not hosted on #Steam or itch.io
onlybansgame.com/wp/
Presciently not hosted on #Steam or itch.io
onlybansgame.com/wp/
New book "Histriographies of Game Studies" #OA punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
Lots of good stuff, I'm excited about this chapter:
ping @poppywilde.bsky.social @doktornick.bsky.social
Lots of good stuff, I'm excited about this chapter:
ping @poppywilde.bsky.social @doktornick.bsky.social
July 26, 2025 at 4:06 AM
New book "Histriographies of Game Studies" #OA punctumbooks.com/titles/histo...
Lots of good stuff, I'm excited about this chapter:
ping @poppywilde.bsky.social @doktornick.bsky.social
Lots of good stuff, I'm excited about this chapter:
ping @poppywilde.bsky.social @doktornick.bsky.social
RE: the recent targeting of LGBTQ+ content on Steam and itch.io (see following tweet), our #OA article "Platform Produced Heteronormativity" outlines the restrictive self-regulation of platform-based gender and sexuality of adult videogames on #Patreon journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Platform-produced Heteronormativity: A Content Analysis of Adult Videogames on Patreon - Petri Lankoski, Thomas Apperley, J. Tuomas Harviainen, 2023
This article examines the prominent role of Patreon in the rapidly growing sector of crowdfunded pornographic games. Recent research has indicated that, on aver...
journals.sagepub.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:07 AM
RE: the recent targeting of LGBTQ+ content on Steam and itch.io (see following tweet), our #OA article "Platform Produced Heteronormativity" outlines the restrictive self-regulation of platform-based gender and sexuality of adult videogames on #Patreon journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Virtual Shelfie - book-length stuff I've been checking out this past week - amazing, inspiring stuff <3
July 22, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Virtual Shelfie - book-length stuff I've been checking out this past week - amazing, inspiring stuff <3
🫠 A thread from @rainforestsb.bsky.social and my recent presentation at #ludo2025 (ludomusicology conference) which examines how nu metal and early 2000s gaming culture contributed to the reinforcement of white male anger (1/20).
July 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
🫠 A thread from @rainforestsb.bsky.social and my recent presentation at #ludo2025 (ludomusicology conference) which examines how nu metal and early 2000s gaming culture contributed to the reinforcement of white male anger (1/20).
Lyra's (my 10-year-old daughter) first attempt at making a D&D map. A world centred on an inner sea where a huge column of water flows continuously into the sky, taking the souls of the dead to the afterlife.
July 14, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Lyra's (my 10-year-old daughter) first attempt at making a D&D map. A world centred on an inner sea where a huge column of water flows continuously into the sky, taking the souls of the dead to the afterlife.
CFP Hybrid Symposium: The UK Tabletop Role-Playing Game Scene – Histories, Cultures, and Legacies - 16th September, @coegamecult.bsky.social Tampere University, Finland (and online)
Full details in attachments.
#ttrpg #boardgames #wargames #minatures #gamebooks #videogames #history #gamestudies
Full details in attachments.
#ttrpg #boardgames #wargames #minatures #gamebooks #videogames #history #gamestudies
July 14, 2025 at 10:20 AM
CFP Hybrid Symposium: The UK Tabletop Role-Playing Game Scene – Histories, Cultures, and Legacies - 16th September, @coegamecult.bsky.social Tampere University, Finland (and online)
Full details in attachments.
#ttrpg #boardgames #wargames #minatures #gamebooks #videogames #history #gamestudies
Full details in attachments.
#ttrpg #boardgames #wargames #minatures #gamebooks #videogames #history #gamestudies