The University for Further Education Krems in Austria is ending the oldest game studies course in Europe and closing its Center for Applied Game Studies. This marks the loss of two of the oldest institutions in European Game Studies. Former Center Head Natalie Denk however has plans.
It should have been a celebration in 2026: The Center for Applied Game Studies at University for Further Education Krems in Austria would have become 20 years old this year, the study course Game Studies would become 23 years old since it started in 2004 under the then-title “Professional MSc E-Sport and Competitive Computer Gaming” (we had reported then, in German). That makes the course the oldest game studies study program in the entirety of Europe. But both Center and study program are being closed down this year, due to budgetary constraints.
Natalie Denk, Head of the Center for Applied Game Studies, shared on LinkedIn: “We were supposed to celebrate our 20th anniversary this year at the Center for Applied Game Studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems. But unfortunately, things turned out differently than planned: due to the current budgetary situation at the university, it was decided to close our center. The game studies program will also no longer be offered in the future.”
Denk has been closely associated with the center for almost 14 years: She studied game studies there in 2012, had been involved in numerous projects and teaching since 2014, and lead the center from 2019 to now.
The discontinuation of one of the oldest games research centers and the oldest study course in Europe will naturally produce ripples in the game studies landscape overall. Crucially, the Center for Applied Game Studies has been the organiser of Austria’s most important game studies conference, Future and Reality of Gaming (FROG). Denk has however announced that FROG will go on in some form – and that she is working with colleagues on another form in which the Center can possibly come back. Denk herself has started a new position in game-based education she has not yet announced, and will do her PhD additionally.
