Games of War

international academic conference on Ukrainian video games responding to the 2014/2022 Russian invasion

24.02.2024 - Faculty of History, University of Gdansk, Poland

Games of war – International Hybrid Conference (ug.edu.pl)

About the conference

The Faculty of History at the University of Gdansk (Poland), in collaboration with the Department of Computer Systems and Technologies at Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics (Ukraine), have the honour to announce the academic hybrid (on-site + online) conference, "Games of War," scheduled for the 24th of February 2024. This conference is dedicated to exploring the intricate narratives and historical reflections in Ukrainian video games that respond to the Russian 2014/2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

On the 24th of February – a date forever tied to the tragic event of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine – "Games of War" seeks to delve into the multifaceted reflections of tragedy and heroism within video games as digital artifacts. This timely endeavor aims to foster a deeper understanding of how interactive media serves as a lens through which historic events are portrayed and interpreted. The conference provides a platform for researchers, scholars, and game developers to engage in profound discussions around the intersection of history, conflict, and digital storytelling. 

Information on Ukrainian games about the Russian invasion can be found here:

• Video from the Digital Dragons Conference (15-16 May 2023) by Dr. Yaraslau Kot: Games of War - Games that were born from flames of Russian aggression - link
• Presentation (PDF) from Dr. Y. Kot’s  Lecture at the University of Gdansk on 1st December 2023 - link
• Article from DOU.UA (2022) covers 15 games about Full Scale Invasion - link
• Article from The Guardian (2022) on games about the Invasion - link
• Article from Polygon.com (2022) overviewing several games about the invasion - link
• Article from Mezha.Media (2023) overviewing games developed in Ukraine during the full-scale war - link

The language of the conference is English. 

Call for papers

Abstracts of 400-600 words with key bibliographical references and author’s academic bio should be sent via the Conference Submission Form by January the 28th. The conference talk should be about 20 minutes. After the conference, speakers will be invited to submit a paper for publication in a peer-reviewed collection. 

Possible approaches to the topic include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Historical Representation: Analyze how video games portray the events and consequences of the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine. Evaluate the accuracy and nuances of historical depictions within gaming narratives.
• Narrative and Metaphorical Content: Examine storytelling techniques employed in games to convey the emotions of war and conflict. Discuss how game developers balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling.
• Player Experience: Investigate the impact of playing war-themed games on the perceptions and attitudes of players. Consider the role of empathy and immersion in shaping players' understanding of historic/al events.
• Ethical Considerations: Examine ethical dilemmas presented in games that tackle sensitive geopolitical issues. Discuss the responsibilities of game developers in handling real-world conflicts within their creations.
• Educational Potential: Explore the educational value of war-themed games in conveying historical and geopolitical lessons. Discuss the role of gaming in fostering critical thinking and historical awareness among players.

We also welcome nonacademic presentations from game developers involved in the creation of games-of-war. Please contact us at histgameconf@gmail.com about the details.

Important dates

• 23rd January 2024 - abstract submission deadline 
• 6th February 2024 - notification of acceptance
• 24th February 2024 - conference date

Practical info

Fees

• No conference fees. Participation is free.

Venue 

• University of Gdansk, Faculty of History, ul. Wita Stwosza 55, Gdańsk, Poland

Accommodation

• on-site conference speakers will be provided with free accommodation in Gdańsk

Contact

• contact us at: histgameconf@gmail.com 

Organizing committee

• Prof. Arkadiusz Janicki - Dean, Faculty of History, University of Gdansk
• Dr. Yaraslau I. Kot - SALT Research Fellow, Faculty of History, University of Gdansk
• Dr. Wacław Kulczykowski - Assistant Professor, Faculty of History, University of Gdansk
• Dr. Oleksiy S. Yevsyeyev -Associate Professor, Department of Computer Systems and Technologies, Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics

Programme committee

• Prof. Michał Mochocki - Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland
• Dr. Yaraslau I. Kot - SALT Research Fellow, Faculty of History, University of Gdansk