iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Come chat with me about feminine computer creativity :) Did you make experimental hobbyist games? Did you mod the sims? Did you make Neopets fan sites? Are you Australian and over 18yo?

A participant recruitment flyer for a research project on feminine computer creativity. An image of a Sims house and a Neopets character are included on the poster.

The callout reads:
"I am looking to talk with people who used computers for hobbyist non- commercial feminine creativity relevant to games. All interpretations
of femininity are welcome. This project aims to learn more about feminine tech-competency and feminine game cultures that have
been overlooked in games histories."

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Call for Papers to share your work at DiGRAA 2027, hosted at RMIT, Melbourne in Feb! digraa.org/post/cfp-dig...

digraa.org

CFP: DiGRA Australia 2027 National Conference Call for Papers and Important Dates – DiGRA Australia

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

The latest Video Game History Hour podcast talks to Dr. Stephanie Harkin, lecturer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, about her research on video games in girls’ lifestyle magazines like Girl Gamer & Total Girl: gamehistory.org/episode-141-...

gamehistory.org

Episode 141: Hidden Advertising of Feminine Games | Video Game History Foundation

Phil Salvador interviews Dr. Stephanie Harkin, lecturer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) School of Design Games Program in Australia, about her research on femininity in gaming, p...

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

My book is out! 💗 Girlhood Games: Gender, Identity and Coming of Age in Videogames is a 6-year-long labour of love for young adult stories, teen heroines in videogames and unnoticed girly game histories. Thank you @livvy.itch.io for the beautiful cover! www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...

Book cover for "Girlhood Game: Gender, Identity, and Coming of Age in Video Games." A youthful feminine bedroom is depicted, centring on a computer desk setup with game accessories.

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RMIT Games @rmitgames.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Super lucky to have Katie Roots for the next RMIT Games Talk! Katie is Marketing Manager at Hipster Whale and has 10+ years in game dev, user acqisition + more See you there! 🗓️ Tuesday Sept 16 🕛 3:30pm–4:30pm 📍 RMIT City Campus, Building 80, Level 6, Room 5

A flyer for the 'RMIT Games Industry Talk Series' with featured guest 'Katie Roots' in large font.
Details include:
Date: Tuesday Sept 16
Time: 3:30pm–4:30pm
Location: Building 80, Level 6, Room 5

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

New addition to our digital library... the complete run of Imagine Town Magazine, a promo publication from Ubisoft to promote their line of games for girls We believe this is the first (and hopefully not last) mention of Keke Palmer in our collection archive.gamehistory.org/folder/61871...

The cover of Imagine Town Magazine from Fall 2009, featuring a Q&A with Keke Palmer. "The style-savvy star shares her fashion secrets!"

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Phil Salvador @philsalv.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Just recorded an episode of the Video Game History Hour where we did a vintage "What Pokemon are you?" quiz from an Australian girl's magazine I got Skitty

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RMIT Games @rmitgames.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Come along to the next Industry Talk with @osaurusstudios.bsky.social Maddy Clute! Maddy will share insights on going for grants, leading a small studio, and working on Aus gothic/ true crime-inspired Call of the Golden of Valley! TUE Aug 26, 3:30–4:30pm City Campus, Building 80, Lvl 6, Room 5

Information poster for the RMIT Games Industry Talk Series. Information reads:

Maddy Clute, Game Designer, Founder, O'Saurus Studios, 'Call of the Golden Valley.

Tue Aug 26, 3:30–4:30pm. Building 80, Level 6, Room 5.

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RMIT Games @rmitgames.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

The next RMIT Games Industry Talk is this Tuesday August 12! Excited to hear from Alayna Cole's experience across game design, academia and as DEI Manager at Sledgehammer Games! 🗓️ Tuesday August 12 ⏰ 3:30–4:30pm 📍 RMIT City Campus, Building 80, Level 6, Room 5 Free & open event, no registration

Event poster for 'RMIT Games Industry Talk Series'
Text reads: "Tue Aug 12, 3:30–4:30pm. Building 80, Level 6, Room 5.'
The guest featured is 'Alayna Cole: Game designer, academic, journalist, former DEI at Sledgehammer (Call of Duty)"

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The Games Industry Talk Series is back for 2025! 🎉 No registration required.

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Dr. José Zagal @jzagal.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Also at #DiGRA25, Stephanie Harkin gave a great talk on representations of gaming in lifestyle magazines for girls. With a great shout out to the Video Game History Foundation! @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social

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RMIT Games @rmitgames.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

BIG congratulations to Andy Eng for winning the 2024–25 ACMI + RMIT Games Prize for Directing and Programming the group project DEADLINES. Now in its 6th year, the Games prize is awarded to a graduating student from RMIT's Games Program for exploring the medium's artistic potential. Congrats!

A young figure stands with their back to the viewer in a darkened and shadowy indoor basketball court.

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RMIT Games @rmitgames.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

ACMI + RMIT Audience Lab is back Saturday June 7 ✨ www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu4Y...

youtube.com

ACMI + RMIT Audience Lab

YouTube video by ACMI – The Australian Centre for the Moving Image

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

RMIT Games now has a bluesky account — for students, alumni, industry folk and any wanting to see updates, news, events, accolades, media and more from our students and staff 🧚‍♀️ @rmitgames.bsky.social

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The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · 26/02/2025

A major update for dating simulation game Love and Deepspace has furrowed brows – it now includes a period tracker.

theconversation.com

Chinese dating simulator Love and Deepspace now has a period tracker – it signals a shift in mobile gaming

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SIFTER @sifterhq.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Carving Out Your Space In The Melbourne Games Industry. We spoke to recent game dev graduates about job prospects, their thoughts on the industry and hopes for the future. FEATURE www.sifter.com.au/post/australian-g… #gamedev

Wattle Creek a game set in an regional Australia town

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

My flea-ridden cat had to be showered and shampooed and my what a new experience that was

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Serrels @serrels.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

What have been some of your favourite pieces of writing/journalism on video games this year? Feel free to post your own stuff. I'm keen to read.

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Brendan Keogh @brkeogh.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Registration is now open for DiGRA Australia's 2025 National Conference, which will be held at University of South Australia on 5-7 February (and online). This is the first DiGRA Australia conference held off the east coast!! events.humanitix.com/digraaustral...

events.humanitix.com

DiGRAAustralia 2025 National Conference

Get tickets on Humanitix - DiGRAAustralia 2025 National Conference . Hawke Building, Hawke Building, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. Wednesday 5th February 2025. Find event information.

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Journal of Femininities @femininities.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

🚨 FINAL CALL - Call for Papers: Special Issue on Digital Femininities – Journal of Femininities – ABSTRACT DUE NOVEMBER 20th 🚨 brill.com/fileasset/do...

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Gorgeous write up of the RMIT games grad show

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Luke Mitchell 🎮🐻 @checkpointboss.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Wanna write gaming news and reviews? We’re looking at bolstering our team of journos at @checkpointau.bsky.social Open to everybody, but bonus points if: 🌈 You identify as queer in some way 🇦🇺 You’re in Australia (Melb for 📻) 🎮 You love indies Newcomers welcome! DM or email me. 😘

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

Still floored by the enthusiasm of visitors and the wisdom of panelists at Feminine Play's Opening Night. Thanks to everyone who made the evening so special. And to Matto Lucas for the beautiful photographs! These were commissioned by Creative Vic as part of Melbourne International Games Week 2024.

People are seated playing games while others stand behind them to watch. An information decal titled 'Feminine Play' (text indistinguishable) is on the wall in the background and fairy lights hang overhead.

A plastic figurine of a dog sits inside a tiny plastic bathtub inside a plexiglass-cased PC. The images is framed by florals attached to the outside of the PC.

The backs of two figures in shadow are viewing a tarot-inspired projection on the wall. The projection depicts a figure with red glyphs on their arm holding a sickle that drips blood.

A person holds an smart phone that displays an AR game that features Banh Chung meal preparation.

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 08/11/2024

That time of year again for the RMIT Games Grad show! www.rmitgamedesignshowcase.com It's a super strong cohort this year so be sure to come down and play some games! Opening Night: Nov 14, 4:30 - 9:30 Industry Day: Nov 15th 10am - 2:30pm RMIT City Campus, Building 12, Level 2

rmitgamedesignshowcase.com

RMIT Games | Grad Show 2024

Celebrating the outstanding achievements of RMIT Bachelor of Design (Games) graduates. Come to the show Thursday 14th November 2024, and play the games here!

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

Big thank you to everyone who visited Feminine Play! You can now view/download an online version of the catalogue at feminineplay.org with beautiful art from all the exhibited works and an essay by @jtg.design @mahliann.bsky.social and I about femininity and games :)

Catalogue cover that reads Feminine Play

Preview of the first page of the catalogue essay titled ‘Feminine Play’

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Alex ✨ @alexbestie.com.au · 17/10/2024

We’re now closer to 200 Aussie Devs + Media on the list! If you can, share it on to people who need it 🙏 You also don’t have to follow me to be on it just fyi 😉😂 bsky.app/profile/did:...

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gita “the formalist” jackson @xoxogossipgita.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

before i run out the door to celebrate my little birthday: i wish it was even possible to have a gossip girl video game, because those kinds of coming of age stories are my very favorite aftermath.site/persona-toki...

aftermath.site

More Games Should Be Coming of Age Stories - Aftermath

We all know it’s true: the school parts of Persona are more fun than the dungeon crawling. There should be more games set in high school.

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 31/08/2024

I’m not on Bluesky as much as I’d like, but Feminine Play is coming together really beautifully and I’ll be posting updates on this new Instagram page if you’d like to follow along 🙏💕 www.instagram.com/feminineplay... Pictured: Little Ruin by Lucernal ❤️

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Spaxe Austral ⚡ @spaxe.space · 09/07/2024

Website: feminineplay.org Enquiries: feminineplay@gmail.com We are taking a very expansive reading of femininity - looking forward to your submissions!

feminineplay.org

Feminine Play

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Spaxe Austral ⚡ @spaxe.space · 09/07/2024

👀 Do you have a game, game demo or playful object that explores femininity? Submit your work to Feminine Play! www.feminineplay.org

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 22/01/2024

Happy happy happy to share that I’ll be a Lecturer in the games program at RMIT!!

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 10/01/2024

I picked up a bunch of second-hand Total Girl magazines recently and this single spread captures 2007 preteen girl Australia better than anything I’ve ever seen

A photo of a magazine’s Sims 2 comic, zoomed in on the profiles of three young women Sims characters

A double page magazine spread featuring an ongoing comic based on the Sims 2

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Brendan Keogh @brkeogh.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

An article by Ben Abraham & myself for Organization, first pre-published back in 2022, is now finally published in an issue. All about the role that small-scale, independent cultural producers have in collective action in cultural industries, esp. game industry journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

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Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 22/12/2023

Bit harsh on the huggability ratings

And double page of Nintendo’s Girl Gamer magazine with the article heading “Who’s The Cutest?” featuring different videogame characters evaluated on “looks” “furriness” and “huggability” out of 5 stars. Only Kirby’s huggability (4/5) exceeds 3 stars.

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