iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Bonfire Dog @bonfiredog.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

For those in Exeter UK this autumn, I'm on a (rescheduled) panel with @richardcole.bsky.social , Amy Cutler and others exploring the future of video games. Exeter Phoenix, 1st October, tickets free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-level-...

eventbrite.co.uk

New Level Unlocked: Discovering the Story of Video Games

Leading video game researchers from across the region give a behind-the-scenes talk on what makes a video game, and why we enjoy them.

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Dr Tomas Rawlings @tomasrawlings.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

@bristolgameshub.bsky.social, Bristol University's Bristol Digital Game Lab & @waterstones.bsky.social Bristol are hosting noted games author @georgeosborn.bsky.social talking about his new book, Power Play. [1/2] Tickets here - www.waterstones.com/events/power...

The cover of power play showing a hex style world map

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Curtis Dozier @curtisdozier.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I was on @theozywh.bsky.social with @sentypurr.bsky.social , @richardcole.bsky.social and other great scholars not on bluesky for a great discussion about Nolan's Odyssey

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I grew up playing games like Age of Empires. The Festival is our way of giving back, an exploration of what happens when you bring together game designers, heritage professionals, academic researchers and players to imagine better historical games. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eof...

youtube.com

Festival of History and Heritage in Games

YouTube video by University of Bristol

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

@alexvandewalle.bsky.social and I have a habit of dreaming up long term gaming projects in bars and at conferences. This one was on a walk back from a bar. We're delighted to share a call for papers for an edited collection on: *Ten Years of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Legacy, Impact, Future*

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

We're hiring two roles for the new MA Games Design (Narrative) at the @bristoluni.bsky.social! Lecturer in Narrative Design www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de... Technical Specialist (Teaching) www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de... www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6rO... #BristolDigitalGameLab

youtube.com

MA Game Design (Narrative) at University of Bristol | Game Writing Masters

YouTube video by University of Bristol

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Mythological Characters in Video Games - join us for this Centre for Creative Technologies and Game Lab keynote lecture by International Visiting Fellow Dr @alexvandewalle.bsky.social. Thursday 30 April 5pm (BST), University of Bristol (in person and online). forms.office.com/pages/respon...

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Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

🎮 Dr Harry Wilson (Theatre) introduces his AI Tools for Games and XR Storytelling project, which explores the possibilities & problems of collaborating with AI in the creation of narrative games & immersive experiences Watch the full video 👉 brnw.ch/21x1gQz @richardcole.bsky.social

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Deeply proud of this film for the MA Games Design (Narrative) at the University of Bristol, featuring no less than eight members of the Bristol Digital Game Lab in debut acting roles! It captures the vision that @mikesamuel8.bsky.social and I have for the programme. www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6rO...

youtube.com

We Are The Creators Of Worlds

YouTube video by University of Bristol

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Erik Champion @erikmc.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Interesting sounding paper! CultureQuest: Deploying AI-powered Characters in Museum Spaces to Reimagine Visitor Engagement, Richard Cole1, Chris Bevan1, Frances Pickworth1, Ben Ackland2, Thomas Keane2; 1University of Bristol; 2, Meaning Machine. www.conftool.org/fantastic-fu...

conftool.org

Fantastic Futures 2025 - ConfTool Pro - BrowseSessions

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Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

✍️ Prof Esther Eidinow (@clahbristol.bsky.social) & Dr Chris Bevan (Computer Science) introduce us to their AI in Antiquity project which uses new technologies to bring the ancient world to life Read how their use of AI aims to enhance the teaching of ancient culture 👉 bit.ly/4qwgyjt

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Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

🎮 Video games are no longer just entertainment. They are tools for change. The #BristolDigitalGameLab is pioneering this shift, asking not just what games are, but what they can do for society. Watch the full video to learn more 👉 bit.ly/3KNNe7Q @richardcole.bsky.social @mikesamuel8.bsky.social

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

I had a fantastic conversation with Dr Sarah Jones this summer for the University of Bristol Humanities Learning and Teaching Network podcast series about using VR and video games in the Classics and Ancient History classroom.

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Double publication alert! Both the below focus on @ubisoft.com's #Assassin'sCreedOdyssey as a case study, demonstrating not only how influential the game has been on my own (and others') thinking, but also on the development of games studies scholarship more broadly. #BrisotlDigitalGameLab

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

A callout for last minute signups for a #BristolDigitalGameLab research study on Monday 28 July to test a new game, developed by Meaning Machine in partnership with the University of Bristol and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

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Jean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Day 5 of #BristolDataWeek wrapped up on Friday. We had our Applied Data Analysis in Python: scikit-learn training session, Museums of Languages: A Concept Game Jam with Bristol Digital Game Lab, and the Careers in Data Science seminar with Compass CDT. #BristolDataWeek2025 #BDW2025

Four people sat on sofas around a table with one person writing on a piece of paper

People looking at laptops, sat at tables for the training session

Back of the audience for the Compass CDT careers event with the speakers at the front looking at the screen

Conor delivering the JGI presentation at the Game Jam

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Looking forward to rolling the dice for this tomorrow with @alexvandewalle.bsky.social!

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The Ozymandias Project @theozymandiasp1.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Wishing you were choosing your next adventure from the Illithid? Join Dr. Richard Cole & Dr. Alexander Vandewalle at Hitpoints & History this weekend to discuss #Baldursgate3. Tickets 20% starting today! hitpointsandhistory2025.eventbrite.…

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Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Congratulations to Dr @richardcole.bsky.social who is a University Enterprise Fellow for 25/26! 🥳 Richard will make use of the Fellowship to develop the Bristol Digital Game Lab's pioneering work around games for public service Read more about the new cohort 👉 bit.ly/4cnHFqi

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

We're extremely lucky to be hosting the one and only Dr Glaire Anderson at the #BristolDigitalGameLab next month. On Wednesday 7 May 2025 @ 17:00, hear Glaire talk about “Lessons from ‘Leaving Arabistan’: New Possibilities for Academic & Games Industry Collaborations.” buytickets.at/bristoldigit...

buytickets.at

Select tickets – Lessons from ‘Leaving Arabistan’: New Possibilities for Academic & Games Industry Collaborations – B.H05 Lecture Theatre, Arts Complex, Woodland Road, University of Bristol.

On Wednesday 7 May 2025, the Bristol Digital Game Lab is delighted to be hosting a research seminar with speaker Dr Glaire Ande...

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

It was inspiring to meet fellow contributors at this book launch and take part in the wider discussions prompted(!) by this volume.

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

I can't quite believe this is happening, but from August I'll be taking up the role of Lecturer in Digital Futures at the Bristol Digital Futures Institute @bdfi.bsky.social. It's an incredible opportunity to support the growth of the Institute, with the first five years frontloaded with research

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Alexander Vandewalle @alexvandewalle.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Really enjoyed co-presenting a Classics and Ancient History / Bristol Digital Game Lab research seminar with @richardcole.bsky.social in Bristol earlier this week! We discussed our active play experiment where we tested how/whether history impacts players' in-game character decisions.

Opening slide saying "'As You Write Your Odyssey...': An Empirical Study of Classics Students' Play Interests and Ergodic Characterization in Historical Video Games", presented by Dr Alexander Vandewalle & Dr Richard Cole on 11 March 2025 at the University of Bristol.

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Alexander Vandewalle @alexvandewalle.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Join @richardcole.bsky.social and me Tuesday 11 March 2025 15:30 UTC for a hybrid Classics and Ancient History / Game Lab research seminar! We'll be presenting our work on exploring player responses to historical video games. Click here (& scroll down) for details on location & Zoom link!

bristoldigitalgamelab.blogs.bristol.ac.uk

Events – Bristol Digital Game Lab

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Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

💥 Great to see the research of Dr Beth Rebisz (@uobrishistory.bsky.social), Dr Richard Cole (@clahbristol.bsky.social), Prof Ed King & Dr Paul Merchant (HiPLA) feature in the latest Research Frontiers newsletter Read the issue to find out more about our research 👇 bristol.ac.uk/research/imp...

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Looking forward to presenting today at the AI and Writing for Games: Revolutionising Play and Design webinar.

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

This was such a fantastic conversation. @lexie-henning.bsky.social is the most accommodating host and her questions were nuanced and thought-provoking throughout. It does help that we share a love of all things Classics and gaming, which definitely comes across.

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The Ozymandias Project @theozymandiasp1.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Today on Ancient Office Hours, Dr. @richardcole.bsky.social , a lecturer in Digital Classics at the University of Bristol, drops by to discuss merging the ancient world with contemporary digital media, the Virtual Reality Oracle project, and the future of VR in education, particularly in classrooms.

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Dr. Edward A S Ross (he/him) @edwardasross.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

🚨FINAL #CFP: (Generative) Artificial Intelligence and Teaching the #AncientWorld Conference - June 25-26, 2025, @uniofreading.bsky.social. Abstracts Due: February 7, 2025 Full Details: edwardasross.wordpress.com/events/gener... #AI #Classics #Teaching @ics.bsky.social @classicsforall.bsky.social

Artificial Intelligence and Teaching the Ancient World - Interdisciplinary Conference - June 25-26, 2025 - Hybrid - Department of Classics, University of Reading - Call for Papers - Discussion Streams - 1. The Double-edged Sword: Reconciling the Ethics of Using GenAI in Ancient World T&L - 2. Learning by Example: Case Studies of Good Practice - 3. Under Construction: Developing AI Models for Supporting Ancient World T&L - 4. Skewed Visions: GenAI in Public Ancient History and Reception - Submit an abstract, bio, and CV to iGAIAS@reading.ac.uk by February 7, 2025. Full Details Here: https://edwardasross.wordpress.com/events/generative-artificial-intelligence-and-teaching-the-ancient-world/

Text of the Call for Papers Available at: https://edwardasross.wordpress.com/2024/12/02/cfp-generative-artificial-intelligence-and-teaching-the-ancient-world/

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Have you ever wanted to take part in video game research? The Bristol Digital Game Lab needs you to help us conduct research on player responses to ‘First Person Talkers’. We’re looking to recruit 60 people to test out a prototype murder mystery game called DEAD MEAT (Meaning Machine).

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Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

🎮 And Drs @mikesamuel8.bsky.social & @richardcole.bsky.social introduce their project which seeks to address a gap in support & resources for new fathers through an immersive, narrative-based video game Mike's research 👉 bit.ly/40Tn0Gz Richard's research 👉 bit.ly/4gePqiV [3/3]

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Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

📽️🎮 As the Global Game Jam kicks off this weekend, we're thinking back to our Algorithmic Bias event organised by the #BristolDigitalGameLab & #CentreforCreativeTechnologies Watch the full video to learn how gaming can help us tackle key societal issues 👉 bit.ly/40Boowq @richardcole.bsky.social

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

New publication alert! My chapter, The AI question, or what if Homer had ChatGPT?, is out now in the Routledge Handbook of AI and Literature. Its about how we can make use of existing questions of authorship to interrogate generative AI. #Classics #AI #Homer www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edi...

taylorfrancis.com

The AI question, or what if Homer had ChatGPT? | 11 | The Routledge Ha

Literary criticism has long been interested in the so-called ‘Homeric Question’: who authored the Odyssey and the Iliad? What if, instead of asking the ‘Homeric

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Historical Games Network @historygamesnet.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

The HGN has worked with HISTOLAB to create a video tutorial, Video Games in the History Classroom, exploring how teachers might use games to engage their students. It uses @charlesgames.bsky.social Attentat 1942 & Svoboda 1945: Liberation as examples histolab.coe.int/activities/t... #gamingthepast

histolab.coe.int

HISTOLAB Tutorials - HISTOLAB

The world of history education at your fingertips

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Looking forward to talking about my current project Virtual Realities as Time Travel tomorrow at the 'Games for Preserving Cultural Heritage' hybrid conference organized by the Play & Preserve team at Uppsala University. Check out the great line up of talks! www.facebook.com/events/11304...

facebook.com

Conference “Games for Preserving Cultural Heritage”

Event by Play and Preserve on Wednesday, January 8 2025

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Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

As 2024 draws to a close, we caught up with some of our Faculty Research Centres & Groups to learn about their highlights from the year and things to look forward to in 2025 Read about our Centres 👉 bit.ly/3ZCTV0u Read about our Groups 👉 bit.ly/3Vy9LrS

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

As we near the end of the year, I'm pleased to share some of the #BristolDigitalGameLab's highlights from 2024. We also look forward to what the Lab will be up to in 2025! bristoldigitalgamelab.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2024/12/13/e...

bristoldigitalgamelab.blogs.bristol.ac.uk

End of Year Wrap Up (2024) – Bristol Digital Game Lab

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Jeremiah McCall (he/him) @gamingthepast.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Hey @richardcole.bsky.social, do you have a fancy term in work for references to historical record / content in games? As I work w/ students on design projects & playing more games, I feel your work points (for me) a spectrum of historical references exist in a historical game #gamingthepast 1/ 🧵

journals.sagepub.com

Mashing Up History and Heritage in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey - Richard Cole, 2022

This article proposes a new framework for analysing how developers structure – and players experience – history and heritage in historical video games. Drawing ...

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Alexander Vandewalle @alexvandewalle.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

CfP alert! 📢 Mythological Game Studies Conference @maciejpaprocki.bsky.social and I are organizing an online conference on mythology & video games (May 2025). We're interested in everything games, myth, mythology & mythologies! Abstract deadline: Feb 2! For more: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 30/05/2024

Interested in #Classics, #Gaming, and #XR? Then come along to the New Directions (hybrid) conference, 3-4 June at the University of Bristol's #BristolDigitalGameLab! We have 24 incredible presentations from academics and industry, and lots of games to play! buytickets.at/bristoldigit...

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Alexander Vandewalle @alexvandewalle.bsky.social · 21/05/2024

Excited to travel to Bristol next month for @richardcole.bsky.social's New Directions in Classics, Gaming & XR Conference! I'll be presenting on how game feel, while underexplored, is an important, promising, and potentially expressive medium for classical reception. #archaeogaming

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 02/02/2024

Announcing the call for New Directions in Classics, Gaming, and Extended Reality, a hybrid conference at the University of Bristol and online, 3-4 June 2024. Deadline 31 March. Looking forward to talking, playing, and experiencing the future of Classics, gaming and XR! #BristolDigitalGameLab

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Richard Cole @richardcole.bsky.social · 18/12/2023

Check out the #BristolDigitalGameLab's End of Year Wrap Up bristoldigitalgamelab.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2023/12/06/e... It looks at the vibrant array of events we put on this term for scholars, students, and enthusiasts to delve into the multifaceted world of digital gaming. Here's to more in 2024!

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Alexander Vandewalle @alexvandewalle.bsky.social · 07/11/2023

[2/2] Interested? Sign up to our Discord via discord.gg/h2XPtJfGut. For our first event (December 4, 18:00 UTC), we’ll host Smite. No experience required – only finishing the tutorial! After that, we'll discuss dates & games together in Discord. Archaeogaming / AncientBluesky / ClassicsBluesky

discord.gg

Join the Antiquity Games Night Discord Server!

Check out the Antiquity Games Night community on Discord - hang out with 9 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.

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