Participants at the specialist conference of the German Society for Game Studies (DGSW) in Darmstadt
Successful conference premiere of new professional society
A historic moment for game enthusiasts in Germany – around one year after its founding, the German Society for Game Studies invited participants to its first major conference at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Around 70 participants from more than 40 institutions came together to lay the foundations for the future of the discipline.
Strong response for a young discipline
The high level of participation showed how rapidly interest in academic engagement with games is growing. For the first time, the event offered a central platform to bring together researchers, practitioners and key players in game culture.
Among those taking part was Internal link opens in the same window:Professor Jirka Dell'Oro-Friedl, Dean of Studies of the bachelor’s degree in Games & Immersive Media at Furtwangen University, co-founder and board member of the society. The event brought together the full breadth of the sector – from early career researchers to true veterans of the scene. A particular highlight was the participation of Tom Werneck, founder of the prestigious “Game of the Year” award, who has shaped the German-speaking games landscape for decades.
Strengthening game culture and research
Alongside intensive professional exchange on current developments in research and practice, the main focus was on personal networking to create synergies for future projects.
The conclusion – this successful premiere has provided lasting reinforcement for the foundations of the field. The conference was a crucial step towards securing and further expanding the visibility of game studies in the German-speaking world in the long term.
Further impressions
