The Wild Side: Furry Characters in Games

Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and EventsPublic lecture/debate/seminar

Description

Queer and trans experiences are traditionally underrepresented in media, and games are no exception. We know games are powerful storytelling vehicles that carry characters and narratives through interactive and social play. This talk will explore a fuzzy side of games: anthropomorphic, human-like animal characters who caught the attention of a worldwide community known as the furry fandom. Why do some games prominently feature animal characters, and what physical, social, and cultural qualities do they bring to games? How can we build on animal characteristics that enhance fictional storytelling that feels rather real? What senses are expanded through furry that could tail toward a broad and diverse audience? The content of the talk is drawn from research interviews of my nascent book project on queer game design I started this year, and is guided by my own personal experiences of being a part of the fandom of over 15 years. I will share a preliminary finding and insights to explore the furry side of queer and trans game studies.
Period7 Jun 2024
Event titleFreeplay Angles 2024
Event typeConference
LocationMelbourne, Australia, VictoriaShow on map
Degree of RecognitionNational