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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal

@federicoalvarez.bsky.social
415 followers 151 following 25 posts

Prof. of Digital Media & Game Studies at HBK Essen. I research the aesthetics of games and play combining theoretical and experimental approaches. Book: "Time and Space in Video Games. A Cogntive-Formalist Approach" bit.ly/3iiMEk8

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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The latest publication to come out of my time as part of @marcwittmann.bsky.social's team, penned by EEG wizard Shiva Khoshnoud. It was a joy and an education to contribute to this study (as with everything we did). I’m thrilled to finally share the results here :) rdcu.be/jw1WdQ1Tca9a
rdcu.be
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Nice piece on cozy games by @goodnewsmagazin.bsky.social (in German), for which journalist Dennis Scheck recently interviewed me. goodnews-magazin.de/wie-cozy-gam...
goodnews-magazin.de
Wie Cozy Games unsere Psyche stärken
Cozy Games zeigen: Zocken kann auch guttun. Entspannte Spiele fördern Wohlbefinden – und verändern gerade das Image von Gaming.
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Reposted by Federico Alvarez Igarzábal
Marc Wittmann @marcwittmann.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
What happens in the brain during flow? Applying EEG microstate analysis during video game play, Shiva Khoshnoud @federicoalvarez.bsky.social and I found that flow is associated with reduced dynamics in brain states linked to self-referential processing in the DMN. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
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transcript Verlag @transcript-verlag.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
An exploration of the intersection between video games and mental health from the complementary perspectives of psychology and game design.  www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376… @federicoalvarez.bsky.social  #VideoGames #Psychology #MentalHealth #SeriousGames #GameDesign #Media
Das Buch-Cover von »Video Games and Mental Health« vor dunkelgelbem Hintergrund.
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The Video Game Library 📚 @thevideogamelibrary.org · 18/03/2026
𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡: 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 is one of the week’s more academic arrivals. ☝️ This collection looks at games and mental health through both psychology and design. #GameStudies @gamingthemind.bsky.social @sebgenvo.bsky.social @federicoalvarez.bsky.social
Book cover with a bright blue background and a stylized brain made from video game controller parts in black, yellow, orange, green, and blue near the center. Text on the cover reads "Federico Alvarez Igarzábal, Emmanuel Guardiola, Carmen Johann, Katharina Tillmanns (eds.)", "Video Games and Mental Health", "Perspectives of Psychology and Game Design", and "[transcript] Studies of Digital Media Culture".
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Emmanuel Guardiola and I talked to Rudolf Inderst (@gamestudies.bsky.social) about our book Video Games and Mental Health on his podcast New Books in Game Studies @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social You can now listen to the episode in the link below! newbooksnetwork.com/video-games-...
newbooksnetwork.com
Federico Alvarez Igarzábal and Emmanuel Guardiola, "Video Games and Mental Health: Perspectives of Psychology and Game Design" (Transcript Publishing, 2024) - New Books Network
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Reposted by Federico Alvarez Igarzábal
Rudolf Thomas INDERST (he|him) @gamestudies.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
I spoke with Federico Alvarez Igarzábal & Emmanuel Guardiola about their anthology Video Games and Mental Health. Perspectives of Psychology and Game Design on my podcast #GameStudies. I'd be delighted if you'd listen in & share: newbooksnetwork.com/video-games-... cc @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social
newbooksnetwork.com
Federico Alvarez Igarzábal and Emmanuel Guardiola, "Video Games and Mental Health: Perspectives of Psychology and Game Design" (Transcript Publishing, 2024) - New Books Network
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Language at Play @languageatplay.de · 13/01/2026
Noch ein Call gefällig? Bis zum 31.1.2026 suchen Dr. Arno Görgen und Dr. Stefan Heinrich Simond nach Beiträgen zum Nachfolger des Sammelbandes ‚Krankheit in digitalen Spielen‘. (@pachuki.bsky.social) languageatplay.de/2026/01/13/c...
languageatplay.de
[CfA] Sammelband Krankheit in digitalen Spielen 2 - Language at Play %
Bis zum 31.1.2026 suchen Dr. Arno Görgen und Dr. Stefan Heinrich Simond nach Beiträgen zum Nachfolger des Sammelbandes ‚Krankheit in digitalen Spielen‘. Krankheit, egal ob psychisch oder somatisch, ha...
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
📖New publication: Video Games and Mental Health. Perspectives of Psychology and Game Design, co-edited with Chad Comeau, Emmanuel Guardiola, Carmen Johann, and Katharina Tillmanns. www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-6...
transcript-verlag.de
Video Games and Mental Health
An exploration of the intersection between video games and mental health from the complementary perspectives of psychology and game design.
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Thrilled to share this new publication: "Time, Play and Games", a special issue of the Journal of Gaming and Virtual Worlds co-edited with Chris Hanson: intellectdiscover.com/content/jour...
intellectdiscover.com
Time, Play and Games | Intellect
Intellect Discover is the platform where Intellect's content lives: Browse publications for scholars and practitioners teaching and researching in the arts, media and creative industries.
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Next week, I’ll be presenting at the workshop "Perception in Games and Virtual Worlds" (September 12-13) in Berlin. The program is packed with promising talks on how we experience and engage with virtual environments. Check it out here: sites.google.com/view/percept... 1/2
sites.google.com
Perception in Games and Virtual Worlds - Berlin 2025
This is a draft program. It may change up until the seminar, so make sure to check for the latest version. Use this form to register participation in the dinner gatherings. Thursday September 11 21.0...
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
At #Gamescom2025! Come visit our HBK Essen stand (hall 10.1)!
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Next week, I'll be speaking at the conference "Spielkultur denken" in Siegen. The event explores play culture in a broad sense and examines how play is embedded within social and political processes. Follow the link if you want to find out more about the program :) spielformen.net/index.php/jo...
spielformen.net
Einladung zur Fachtagung "Spielkultur denken - Perspektiven der Spielwissenschaft" | Spiel|Formen - Zeitschrift für Play & Game Studies
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Rob Sheridan @rob-sheridan.com · 21/12/2024
Stoners, let me improve your weekend: Someone uploaded their personal VHS recording of SIX HOURS of MTV's 1994 Beavis & Butt-head Moron-athon on @archive.org with commercials, Liquid TV & misc MTV shows: archive.org/details/beav... I just quickly scanned it & found this hilariously dorky DOOM 2 ad:
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Nick Bowman (包尼克) he/him/his @bowmanspartan.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
I need to add *so many more* but if I'm leaving off Game Studies scholars, lemme know: go.bsky.app/VbvmLfK
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Candice Odgers @candiceodgers.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Thanks Andy! In @theatlantic.bsky.social I describe why the panic over smartphones is more likely to distract from than solve the problems that young people are facing today. Gift link is below: www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
theatlantic.com
The Panic Over Smartphones Doesn’t Help Teens
It may only make things worse.
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Victor Navarro-Remesal @vthewanderer.bsky.social · 31/10/2024
A starter pack for Game Studies on Bluesky. Let me know if you want to be added or want to recommend any account or feed. Share it around! go.bsky.app/56c1mPm
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 10/09/2024
Psychology Today blog by E. Paul Zehr on our (Shiva Khoshnoud, David Leitritz, Meltem Çinar Bozdağ, Valdas Noreika, @marcwittmann.bsky.social) recently published paper in the Journal of Neuroscience "When the Heart Meets the Mind" t.co/83BDXHF4wU
t.co
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/black-belt-brain/202408/take-time-for-your-heart-to-meet-your-mind
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 31/07/2024
CGL is organizing a new edition of the Young Academics Workshop, this time on the topic of "Games, Politics & Psychology: Community Building in Games & Virtual Worlds." The deadline has been extended to August 5. Take a look at the CfP for more details: colognegamelab.de/call-for-pap...
colognegamelab.de
Call for Papers: The Young Academics Workshop 2025 – Cologne Game Lab
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 26/07/2024
New publication!
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 14/05/2024
Tomorrow is the deadline for submitting abstracts to the special issue of the Journal of Gaming and Virtual Worlds on "Time, Play, and Games." Don't miss your chance if you are interested!
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 09/05/2024
Tomorrow I'm giving a talk at the Perception in Games and Virtual Worlds workshop in Berlin (Dec. 10 & 11 at the Regenbogenfabrik). The program is packed with great presentations. Looking forward to it! sites.google.com/view/percept...
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 07/05/2024
Deadline reminder: Abstracts for the special issue of the Journal of Gaming and Virtual Worlds on "Time, Play, and Games" can be submitted until May 15 (next Wednesday).
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 03/05/2024
If you missed the Game Studies Day co-organized by the Cologne Game Lab and the Now Play This festival (@nowplaythis.bsky.social) on April 11, now you can watch it on YouTube (the first talk starts on min 35). The schedule can be accessed here: nowplaythis.net/gamestudies/ youtu.be/B0sAJmJjFxY
youtu.be
At Play: Between Reality and Make-Believe
Game Studies Day at the Now Play This FestivalProduced by: Federico Alvarez Igarzábal, Substitute Professor of Media & Game Studies at Cologne Game Lab~~~ SC...
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 18/04/2024
**Call for Papers** Chris Hanson and I are editing a special issue on "Time, Play, and Games" for the Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds ⌛Submissions due by May 15. Full CfP in the following link: www.intellectbooks.com/journal-of-g...
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 10/04/2024
Happening tomorrow! You can join us on site (Somerset House, London) or via Livestream :)
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
We are under one week away from the Game Studies Day at the Now Play This festival @nowplaythis.bsky.social: "At Play. Between reality and Make Believe." You can check the schedule here: nowplaythis.net/gamestudies/ The event will also be live streamed, for those who are not in London :)
nowplaythis.net
At Play: Between Reality and Make-Believe
Now Play This is a festival of experimental game design running at Somerset House in London every Spring, showcasing interactive and playful work as part of the London Games Festival.
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 06/03/2024
My book "Time and Space in Video Games. A Cognitive-Formalist Approach" is available in Open Access: tinyurl.com/3jfjrxnx
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Federico Alvarez Igarzábal @federicoalvarez.bsky.social · 06/03/2024
The website for the @nowplaythis.bsky.social Festival in London is online. I'm co-organizing a game studies day (April 11) with Luján Oulton: "At Play: Between Reality and Make Believe." Join us for an interesting series of talks on game studies and the nature of play! nowplaythis.net
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