DiGRA D-A-CH Game Studies Watchlist #39
– 2 min read
The Game Studies Watchlist newsletter of games research association DiGRA GSA is published weekly on GamesMarkt, curated by Prof Dr Rudolf Inderst. This time with Starfield, jobs as game researchers in Europe and the DiGRA Ireland conference.
Ahoi there, game studies operators!
Sometimes it happens faster than you think: you enter the realm of social interactions, something strange or bad happens, and then you find yourself lying in bed at night, wondering, “Wait a minute, did I do something wrong to XY? Was that meant or planned to be something completely different?” Well, Thane Bishop seems to be asking himself exactly that in the case of Starfield, and we can sit back, relax, and watch to see whether the traffic accident here will become even bigger or whether we should all perhaps take a good look at ourselves!
(https://youtu.be/KjO7l8qIGVE?si=fjf8-M9JcQFRAYhs)
Thane Bishop dives deep into Starfield’s story, challenging the above-mentioned widespread perception that it’s weak or poorly written. While acknowledging the game’s technical rough edges and sometimes uninspired mission design, he argues that the narrative actually explores profound themes: the cost of unchecked power, the tension between individual lives and the collective good, and the moral weight of choice. Through examples like the Nisha research station dilemma, Dr. Victor Isa’s decision that doomed Earth, and the ruthless philosophy of the Hunter, the game asks players to grapple with how much power a single person should wield and what sacrifices are justifiable in pursuit of progress. This reflection stands in stark contrast to Bethesda’s usual design ethos, which often empowers the player to impose their will without consequence. By reframing Starfield’s story as a philosophical exploration of power and responsibility, the video suggests that many players may have overlooked its depth, either because of burnout with the game’s systems or expectations of a different kind of narrative. The conclusion? While Starfield may not be the “best story ever written,” its themes are more engaging and thought-provoking than its reputation suggests, leaving a lasting impact on those willing to look past the surface.
Let's make sure, cool people get cool jobs, shall we? First of all, Malta is now hiring Developers, PhD students and Postdoctoral Fellows (part-time and full-time) at Institute of Digital Games - University of Malta! In this particular call, they give emphasis on AI and digital pedagogy and game-based learning but we also seek candidates with backgrounds at the intersections of artificial intelligence and games, affective computing, computer-aided design and computational creativity, game design. Secondly, if you just cannot stand the heat, how about ... the Game Research Lab in Tampere. They are hiring 3 postdoctoral researchers working in cultural game studies from the beginning of 2026 until the end of 2027.
Since this is the DiGRA D-A-CH Game Studies Watchlist, I am very happy to announce that the 2026 DiGRA conference theme is Intersectional Pleasures. The theme invites a critical and celebratory exploration of how digital games enable, mediate, or restrict pleasure across lines of identity, genre, platforms, politics and more. We welcome interdisciplinary submissions across multiple fields - yes, the Call for Submissions is now open!
... and no, this ain't your regular fan fever dream: Jacob Geller pays a visit to Game Studies Study Buddies!
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