Russell Shanks
@soegamer.bsky.social
PhD Candidate, Durham University.
"The Special Operations Executive, British Covert Action in the Second World War, and Digital Wargames"
Yes, I play videogames.
"The Special Operations Executive, British Covert Action in the Second World War, and Digital Wargames"
Yes, I play videogames.
Received a tip-off from a colleague in Castle College's SCR about an SOE connection to Durham. Low and behold a plaque to Durham resident SOE Captain Isidore Newman, MBE CdeG. Active for two missions with F-Section, he was captured and killed in 1944.
December 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Received a tip-off from a colleague in Castle College's SCR about an SOE connection to Durham. Low and behold a plaque to Durham resident SOE Captain Isidore Newman, MBE CdeG. Active for two missions with F-Section, he was captured and killed in 1944.
If you'd like to know more specifically what I am studying at Durham University, this IWM video sums it up in a neat 12 minute example.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIRz...
#SOE #criticalvideogamestudies
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIRz...
#SOE #criticalvideogamestudies
Military Historian breaks down Sniper Elite 5
Karl Fairburne is the steely-eyed, gruff-voiced protagonist of the Sniper Elite video game series. He can often be found sneaking into enemy bases, blowing up emplacements and assassinating…
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
If you'd like to know more specifically what I am studying at Durham University, this IWM video sums it up in a neat 12 minute example.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIRz...
#SOE #criticalvideogamestudies
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIRz...
#SOE #criticalvideogamestudies
Having done a bit of research into the series, does open your eyes to the real jump in quality between the OG Castle Wolfenstein (1981) and the 'reboot' that is Wolfenstein 3D. Filling the office with 8-bit music and cries of 'mein liben!' from the NPC guards.
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
November 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Having done a bit of research into the series, does open your eyes to the real jump in quality between the OG Castle Wolfenstein (1981) and the 'reboot' that is Wolfenstein 3D. Filling the office with 8-bit music and cries of 'mein liben!' from the NPC guards.
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
Taking research back to the beginnings of the Wolfenstein franchise and (arguably) the first stealth videogame. An emulated version of the original Castle Wolfenstein (1981) but fun to have a go with a game of such historical note.
#gamestudies
#gamestudies
November 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Taking research back to the beginnings of the Wolfenstein franchise and (arguably) the first stealth videogame. An emulated version of the original Castle Wolfenstein (1981) but fun to have a go with a game of such historical note.
#gamestudies
#gamestudies
Sat at my desk in the PGR Office in full Halloween costume now it's pitch dark in the city is an experience. The lace wrist cuffs really add a Dickensian dimension, and this cassock is surprisingly warm for a £20 find off Amazon.
a man in a mask is standing in front of a group of mannequins in a room .
ALT: a man in a mask is standing in front of a group of mannequins in a room .
media.tenor.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Sat at my desk in the PGR Office in full Halloween costume now it's pitch dark in the city is an experience. The lace wrist cuffs really add a Dickensian dimension, and this cassock is surprisingly warm for a £20 find off Amazon.
Reposted by Russell Shanks
A reminder of our open call for postdoctoral researchers focusing on cultural game studies, closing on Friday this week, 31 October at 23.59.00 EET / UTC+2 (Finland time): tuni.rekrytointi.com/paikat/index...
3 Postdoctoral Researchers (cultural game studies) / 3 tutkijatohtoria (kulttuurinen pelitutkimus)
tuni.rekrytointi.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:25 AM
A reminder of our open call for postdoctoral researchers focusing on cultural game studies, closing on Friday this week, 31 October at 23.59.00 EET / UTC+2 (Finland time): tuni.rekrytointi.com/paikat/index...
Enjoyable experience last night at the Castle College Sunday Seminar Series. Presented a 15 minute overview on my topic and spent even longer answering some very insightful questions from colleagues. Can't help but notice how much I gesticulate while talking. #DurhamUniversity
October 27, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Enjoyable experience last night at the Castle College Sunday Seminar Series. Presented a 15 minute overview on my topic and spent even longer answering some very insightful questions from colleagues. Can't help but notice how much I gesticulate while talking. #DurhamUniversity
Working on an interesting avenue of thought surrounding SOE's use of astrology and the occult. If anyone knows or can point me in the direction of SOE (and PWE) black propaganda on the matter that would be very helpful. PJR Winter's 2006 article in I&NS helpful so far.
October 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Working on an interesting avenue of thought surrounding SOE's use of astrology and the occult. If anyone knows or can point me in the direction of SOE (and PWE) black propaganda on the matter that would be very helpful. PJR Winter's 2006 article in I&NS helpful so far.
Researching Nazi Zombie game modes from Call of Duty proving timely for Halloween. Some great critiques of the symbolism and metaphor if not strictly in relation to SOE. Image: Nacht der Untoten, Call of Duty: World at War (2008).
October 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Researching Nazi Zombie game modes from Call of Duty proving timely for Halloween. Some great critiques of the symbolism and metaphor if not strictly in relation to SOE. Image: Nacht der Untoten, Call of Duty: World at War (2008).
(Halloween) Groundskeeper Willie: Ach! Zombies! - Funniest Simpsons
YouTube video by Roddy Strong
youtube.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Dipping back into some core texts for some grounding on new (for me) approaches of study. Finding my writing on the influence of SOE within gaming genres other than history, has been descriptive rather than actually analytical.
October 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Dipping back into some core texts for some grounding on new (for me) approaches of study. Finding my writing on the influence of SOE within gaming genres other than history, has been descriptive rather than actually analytical.
Although I will add it was a piece of inspired planning to be researching and writing a chapter on Nazi Zombies and Historical Fantasy in Video Games over Halloween 👻 🎃 🎮
October 13, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Although I will add it was a piece of inspired planning to be researching and writing a chapter on Nazi Zombies and Historical Fantasy in Video Games over Halloween 👻 🎃 🎮
Planning is obviously an integral part of PhD life, the start of the academic years means it's time to look ahead to the upcoming calendar year. Yet it's the act of putting permeant marker to laminated paper that makes everything all too real.
October 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Planning is obviously an integral part of PhD life, the start of the academic years means it's time to look ahead to the upcoming calendar year. Yet it's the act of putting permeant marker to laminated paper that makes everything all too real.
Blustery weather last weekend meaning the Castle College MCR trip to Beamish Museum got the run of the place (mostly) to ourselves first thing. It provided atmospheric experience witnessing the costumed staff heading to post in empty streets.
October 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Blustery weather last weekend meaning the Castle College MCR trip to Beamish Museum got the run of the place (mostly) to ourselves first thing. It provided atmospheric experience witnessing the costumed staff heading to post in empty streets.
After posting my 'Top' 5 SOE videogames, here's the other end of the scale...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...
5 Most Disappointing SOE Videogames - THE SOE, COVERT ACTION, AND THE BRITISH CULTURAL IMAGINARY
Russell Shanks chooses the clunkiest SOE-related games Adapting of historical episodes into videogames presents both challenges and opportunities. Scholars such as Adam Chapman and Esther Wright have ...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk
October 9, 2025 at 11:55 AM
After posting my 'Top' 5 SOE videogames, here's the other end of the scale...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...
Away from the strenuous arena of academic study, Improv Comedy has been a great creative outlet. It's a great exercise in silliness; a real boost to confidence in public speaking; and a way to improve in listening, wittiness, and thinking outside of the box. #improv #comedy #afterschool #yesand
October 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Away from the strenuous arena of academic study, Improv Comedy has been a great creative outlet. It's a great exercise in silliness; a real boost to confidence in public speaking; and a way to improve in listening, wittiness, and thinking outside of the box. #improv #comedy #afterschool #yesand
Following the research tangent into Nordic Mythology, the current chapter reading has now slipped into the realm of the Gothic. Now I really do feel like a student in English Studies. Perfect for this stormy autumnal afternoon outside a medieval city. #gothic #literature #englishstudies
a group of people are dancing and one of them is wearing a dant sweatshirt
ALT: a group of people are dancing and one of them is wearing a dant sweatshirt
media.tenor.com
October 3, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Following the research tangent into Nordic Mythology, the current chapter reading has now slipped into the realm of the Gothic. Now I really do feel like a student in English Studies. Perfect for this stormy autumnal afternoon outside a medieval city. #gothic #literature #englishstudies
It's been a year since I undertook a research trip to the #RoyalArmouriesMuseum in Leeds. It was enlightening to gain a tour of the stores and access a number of #SOE related firearms. Instrumental towards understanding material culture within videogames.
(Photos by author)
(Photos by author)
September 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
It's been a year since I undertook a research trip to the #RoyalArmouriesMuseum in Leeds. It was enlightening to gain a tour of the stores and access a number of #SOE related firearms. Instrumental towards understanding material culture within videogames.
(Photos by author)
(Photos by author)
Currently Playing: Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) - a remake of the original Tomb Raider (1996). I've been delving into a trove of the academic literature on Lara Croft, and, as ever, it's proving pertinent to *play* the characters you're researching. (This version was cheaper on Steam!)
September 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Currently Playing: Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) - a remake of the original Tomb Raider (1996). I've been delving into a trove of the academic literature on Lara Croft, and, as ever, it's proving pertinent to *play* the characters you're researching. (This version was cheaper on Steam!)
Working in a Postgraduate office where everyone is very polite and won't help themselves to the coffee I brew each morning. Invested in a big stack of post-its for a bit of gentle encouragement
#pgoffice #coffee #morningbrew
#pgoffice #coffee #morningbrew
September 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Working in a Postgraduate office where everyone is very polite and won't help themselves to the coffee I brew each morning. Invested in a big stack of post-its for a bit of gentle encouragement
#pgoffice #coffee #morningbrew
#pgoffice #coffee #morningbrew
Every time a Welrod pops up in a videogame it's an opportunity to engage in some SOE-style game play. A sinister and sleek assassination weapon, from its earliest depiction in Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (EA, 2003) it has enabled stealthy approaches and silent killing. #soe #videogames #phd
September 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Every time a Welrod pops up in a videogame it's an opportunity to engage in some SOE-style game play. A sinister and sleek assassination weapon, from its earliest depiction in Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (EA, 2003) it has enabled stealthy approaches and silent killing. #soe #videogames #phd
Part of the challenge of Critical Game Studies is the proficiency of the researcher when playing the games. Some digital wargames can take me a week of casual play to complete. On other occasions I can get stuck on levels for days... Classified: France '44 currently proving tough as D-Day approaches
September 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Part of the challenge of Critical Game Studies is the proficiency of the researcher when playing the games. Some digital wargames can take me a week of casual play to complete. On other occasions I can get stuck on levels for days... Classified: France '44 currently proving tough as D-Day approaches
Turns out, not only can you pick up a 2026 Wall Planner from The Works, but there are some cracking books on '3 for £7.50'
#planning #academicyear #books #bookdeals #theworks
#planning #academicyear #books #bookdeals #theworks
September 18, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Turns out, not only can you pick up a 2026 Wall Planner from The Works, but there are some cracking books on '3 for £7.50'
#planning #academicyear #books #bookdeals #theworks
#planning #academicyear #books #bookdeals #theworks
As an Historian turned Culture Studies researcher currently writing on Gender within Digital Wargames, this study looks even more pertinent.
#gamestudies #genderstudies
#gamestudies #genderstudies
We are living in a political moment globally in which research on gender is increasingly under pressure. Games studies scholars working on gender and games are all too familiar with these pressures and with the challenges that come with it.
Read more: www4.uib.no/en/research/...
Read more: www4.uib.no/en/research/...
September 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
As an Historian turned Culture Studies researcher currently writing on Gender within Digital Wargames, this study looks even more pertinent.
#gamestudies #genderstudies
#gamestudies #genderstudies