iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

I am never on this app anymore, but I came back to say that @nyamakop's game Relooted just dropped and that you should play it! This and Take us North were two of my highly anticipated games.

020

Reposted by Dr. Akil Fletcher

AFNarratives @afnarratives.blacksky.app · 14/01/2026

MAGFest 2026 was a BLAST! I did two panels with some amazing people (@javonontheprogram.bsky.social, @myleah.bsky.social, @theblackblackmage.bsky.social, @timstatis.blacksky.app & @thisistrini.bsky.social) and hosted a WOC Creatives Meetup with @veronicatchristie.bsky.social! 🎶🎮👩🏿‍💻

3323

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

-New Publication Alert!- Good morrow friends! I am super excited to announce that my chapter "Gaming Beyond Death" is finally available with the release of Epistemic Games. A huge thank you to the editors for inviting me to contribute. books.google.com/books?hl=en&...

010

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Bada boom! Here is the full conversation I had with @junaebenne.bsky.social on a slew of topics, including Blackness in game culture and my time teaching at Princeton! youtu.be/9Wk73-qcAtU?...

youtu.be

The Professor Episode (ft. Princeton University)

YouTube video by Gifted Videos Network

030

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Anthro friends, looking forward to seeing you at the AAAs!

000

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

It is the end of an era! For those who didn't know, I am in my last year of my postdoc at Princeton, and I am currently teaching "Gaming Blackness" here for the final time. Yesterday, I had Black Pokémon community leader Michelangelo Hayes come talk about his work with my class as a our final guest!

060

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Hey folks, I was lucky enough to be invited onto Ashley ML Guajardo (Brown)'s stream/podcast, The Work Left Behind. If you're free Thursday night at 9 pm EST, feel free to stop by! Twitch twitch.tv/professor_ashley YouTube www.youtube.com/@TheResearch... Spotify open.spotify.com/show/6pATELL...

091

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

I don't know who needs to hear this, but clarity is not the absence of rigor. It is okay to write for the homies back home.

050

Reposted by Dr. Akil Fletcher

Digital Humanities at Brock University @brock-ddh.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Emerging Voices in Black Games @thegamesinstitute.bsky.social from last year. We had a moment to discuss this great panel featuring @theblackblackmage.bsky.social, Cyan DeVeux, and Steven Dashiell. #brocku www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4YX...

youtube.com

Emerging Voices in Black Games Studies [FULL GUEST LECTURE]

YouTube video by TheGamesInstitute

043

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

I can not express the immense joy I had conducting research at The Strong Museum of Play. Not only did I get to rummage through the history of video games, but I also beat multiple high scores for Dance Dance Revolution. For those who can, I recommend visiting the space as soon as you can!

040

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Post One of the best things @marvel-rivals.bsky.social did was use Demon Days Psylocke (a Japanese woman named Sai), instead of using the 616 Psylocke, who was a British woman inhabiting a Japanese woman's body, because... comics.

000

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

I have been told I don't sing my praises enough, so here is today's win. I just found out that my classes, Gaming Blackness and Digital Anthropology, are not only ranked at the top of the Anthropology department but are also among the highest-rated courses at Princeton University.

6837

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

As DiGRA 25 comes to a close, I want to thank everyone who took time out of their day to attend our workshop Black and Latine Game Studies: Assemblages of Power. Big shout out to Carlos Kelly, Regina Mills, and @kishonna.bsky.social for being amazing partners in this project!

040

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

As we all know, moving is hard, and relocation wasn't easy on my oldest kid. But a couple of months ago she decided she wanted to earn student of the month and today she finally achieved that!! I AM SO PROUD OF MY BABY GIRL!

010

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Not gonna lie. These midnight releases are starting to destroy me... but oh well, it's Mario time!

120

Reposted by Dr. Akil Fletcher

beth semel @bethmsemel.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

excited to get my hands on a copy of @nassimparvin.bsky.social and Neda Atanasoski's new (and very good looking) @dukepress.bsky.social book, Technocreep and the Politics of Things Not Seen. i've got a chapter in there offering some preliminary thoughts on transductive labor in vocal biomarker AI

the front cover of Technocreep and the Politics of Things Not Seen, edited by Neda Atanasoski and Nassim Parvin. The title is in white sans Serif font highlighted in bright pink. The features an image of Darya Fard's "Ineffable Freedom."

I'm holding the book Technocreep open to Chapter 10, by me! The chapter is entitlted Resistant Resonances: Vocal Biomarkers, Transductive Labor, and the Politics of Things Not Heard. My left hand is partially covering the chapter's text to help hold the book open.

0227

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

When you do work that challenges the norm, academia can, at times, feel isolated. But, I felt nothing but love and joy at the 2025 Association of Black Anthropologist Conference in Dakar, Senegal. Here's to reinvigoration! So expect new pieces from me soon! #Blackanthropology #videogamesinanthro

040

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Day 1 of the Global Black Anthro conference in Senegal! #anthropologist #anthropology

010

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

I always love the games at the Charles de gaulle airport!

020

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

I recently found out that one of the undergraduate students I helped mentor got into his dream master's program at Stanford! While times may be tough, I am happy to see how support can help lift one another.

010

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Hey folks! If you're free tonight, feel free to join me for the Nevada Humanities stream, where I will be playing League of Legends and discussing Blackness and representation in gaming! Check the link for time! www.nevadahumanities.org/events/human...

nevadahumanities.org

Black Gaming Communities and Practices with Akil Fletcher — Nevada Humanities

April 24, 2025 Online - Twitch

020

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Nintendo delaying the pre-order for the Switch 2 due to Trump's tariffs is a wonderful example that video games have always been political...

020

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Hey folks, My Magfest talk "Masks Off: How video games tell non-Black stories with Black faces" was uploaded to youtube! Feel free to check it out here: youtu.be/lNNzjuc0dEM?...

youtu.be

MAGFest 2025: Masks Off - How Video Games Tell Non-Black Stories with Black Faces

YouTube video by MAGFest

084

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

I'm not ashamed to admit that the only game on the Switch 2 Direct that got me to shout at the top of my lungs was the new Kirby Air Riders. I put hundreds of hours into Kirby Air Ride when I was kid, just collecting pieces of Dragoon and flying around. We up!

media.tenor.com

a cartoon drawing of kirby with the name natsuring0 on the bottom

ALT: a cartoon drawing of kirby with the name natsuring0 on the bottom

140

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

The #NintendoSwitch2 is going to bring me unbridled joy in these dark times. I can't wait to play the new games with my kids and students! Be warned I am going to be aggressively disrespectful in Mario Kart World....

020

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Hey folks! Feel free to join me for my first Assassin's Creed Shadows playthrough! It's going live now! www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...

twitch.tv

TheBlackBlackMage - Twitch

Assassin Creed Shadows playthrough with academic commentary

020

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Ok, I'm finally going to rip off the bandage and give this streaming thing a shot! www.twitch.tv/theblackblac... If you're available, feel free to join me tomorrow, Saturday, at 3:00 p.m., where I will be streaming my playthrough of Assassin's Creed Shadows. (I'll try not to swear)

twitch.tv

TheBlackBlackMage - Twitch

A tired Black dad with an Anthropology Ph.D. and loves gaming!

030

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

When I first got to New Jersey, I kept seeing everyone with "Rs" on the back of their vehicles, and my nerdy ass thought I was rolling deep in Team Rocket territory. Only for me to discover that the "R" was actually for Rutgers. I thought I was going to have to keep a mon on me.

media.tenor.com

Ash Ketchum Pokemon GIF

ALT: Ash Ketchum Pokemon GIF

030

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Given that we are facing a time where those in power are yet again choosing to dehumanize our friends, family, and neighbors. I want to amplify an upcoming game that reminds us that borders do not define one's humanity. Please check out Take Us North! www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_4V...

youtube.com

Take Us North | Latin American Games Showcase TGA 2024 Trailer

YouTube video by Latin American Games Showcase

011

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

HOLY SMOKES @MAGFest!!!!!! I am so humbled and honored that so many of you came out to hear me speak! You all gave me life, love, and joy, and I hope you all continue doing amazing things! Ty @JavonOnThePrgm for inviting me! Now, if you need me, I'll be at the DDR booths!

4131

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

I'm so proud of @javonontheprogram.bsky.social for hosting this great interview with @sonicfox.bsky.social ! Getting to meet a GOAT will never not be awesome!

030

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

There is a cruel paradox in studying video games, but having less and less time to actually play through them.

050

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

It's about to get real nerdy! Feel free to stop by and say hi while im at Magfest!

160

Reposted by Dr. Akil Fletcher

Javon Goard @javonontheprogram.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

It was a year ago that I asked Brotha @theblackblackmage.bsky.social come to MAGFest to share his wisdom! He was all aboard!!! I cannot wait to see him drop some gems. I surely will be taking notes! Come thru! #Videogames #Magfest #storytime Tickets are almost gone: super.magfest.org

041

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Shouting out that submissions for the BIPOC Games Conference will be closing soon, on January 18th! Throw something in; we'd love to have you! conference.blackgamestudies.com/Calls.html

conference.blackgamestudies.com

BIPOC Games: Calls for Submissions

022

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Holy smokes, now that I have recovered from COVID and put in all my grades. I am proud to say that the project "Re-imagining Gaming Blackness" has come to an end. I have to give a shoutout to my amazing students who decided analyzing video games was worth their time! 10/10

010

Dr. Akil Fletcher @theblackblackmage.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Just got here and got dope stuff to share! Big thanks to @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social for asking me to write her!

097