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.

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

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

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

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).

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.

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.

The 1950's Town still feels like the setting for a horror film through.

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.

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

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)

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

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

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