Back on Dutch soil mud. I miss Tokyo already. I want to thank who ever is upstairs for making me get through customs with the tons of crap I had jammed in my suitcase. No wait. I would like to thank those gods of gaming for letting all of us Orange Orandians get through customs without any hassles. Beats paying 300 euros for 10 k’s of luggage, huh Viktor?

Time to get stuff sorted. *VGV Post production mode activated*. The world needs my heavenly exclusive content!

Now where’s my ‘How to make a press release’ handbook???

Sweaty and nervous, but magical. That’s the shortest way to describe how I felt about meeting these two gaming gods in person. Don’t know who Toru Iwatani and Masayuki Uemura are? Shame on you! Go to their wiki’s right now to find out! I was so nervous that I forgot to take a picture with mr. Iwatani, but like I care about a picture. It’s the experience that counts!

That’s Uemura next to me by the way. Someone extend his Wiki. He deserves it!

Man. If this would’ve been true, I just wouldn’t know how to react. Flabbergasted comes close though.

Thanks God Mode. I lol’d.

As a Dutchman (we make great serious games), Digra day 4 was one of the most appealing days. Right next to the research done on game design and e-sports, which were really my personal top 3 themes. On another notice, I met Marc Prensky! According to pictochat, some academics didn’t really like Marc’s style. I don’t care, I enjoyed his keynote and took it as a wake-up call (small explenation after Demi). We ended this serious day with rather serious fun: Karaoke! There’s nothing better then a all you can drink, universal songlist included, karaoke session with other Digra attendents.

Oh the fun and joy. But since I really cherish the friendships I made, you will have to do some some ‘impressions’ on the VGV Flickr Digra 2007 set (long name for a stupid gallery isn’t it?).

Don’t whine about the lack of silly pictures. Just make sure you come along next time!

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The poor bastard. Looks like game studies was too much for his fragile cold-blooded body. I found the unlucky little fella in room 223. Looked like he had been since around day 2, but I can only guess what gave him the final blow. The instant fossilization remains unexplainable. Then again, so are some Digra papers …

RIP mr. Lizard

Woops. Unlimited booze during three hours of crazy karaoke with other Digra visitors sure puts a halt to whatever update/article a certain someone planned on posting on VGV tonight. My apologies, I owe you one.

I’m off to bed now. The earlier I wake up, the faster you get your share of the fun. Bye bye.

I loved his keynote. It was so, different and fresh. Doesn’t matter whether you agree or disagree with what he had to say. After all, is a keynote that everyone agrees with actually a good keynote? He got people talking. That’s what matters.

Missed out? Don’t worry! You will be able to view his keynote after we get it up in the VGV post production week.

VGV Digra Flickr filling has been updated. Enjoy!

Well well. What a surprise! Right under my very nose all the time.

This Digra conference has been literally rocking my socks off since it started (argh, the information overload!). Meeting the hundreds of scholars with shared interests and passions. All gathered together here in Tokyo to share thoughts and ideas for the greater good of our understanding of videogames!

Nevertheless. It seems I also underestimated some aspects of this conference. Mainly, the presentational skills of some of the scholars. Mind you, I’m an undergraduate student that was scared of sending in his paper because of the sheer thought of being surpassed by the ingenuity of other, wiser and more experienced game studies scholars.

Boy do I regret not having sent in my paper. Let’s get one thing straight though: I’m not here to criticize. Instead, I would like to offer a short guide on presenting, which I have established with the help of several game scholars from our Orange Oranda delegation. If you have anything to add to this, please contact me or look me up during the conference.

Demi will show you the way ( picture courtesy of OneThreeOne.com)

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Have you actually been upstairs to the third floor once? Honestly? You should. There are some real beauties of game research displayed in room 1B on the third floor. It doesn’t take that much time and is a great way to fill up the time in between presentations.

I admit, not every researcher loyally remains at their posters’ side. But there’s always someone there that would be more then happy to talk to you. Try it.

Great success! I found one of those classic Dreamcast fishing rod controllers! Ah, can’t wait to sit down on my couch back home and relaxingly reel me in some virtual bass.

Thank god I ran out of cash today…

Okey. I admit. Gundams aren’t really videogame characters. But you get the point right? Imagine Mario decorating one of these packages! Now if only we could convince the manufacturers that gamers do it like raving rabbits…

Does everyone have their personal proceedings phonebook yet? I do. Makes me want to crack ‘Your momma…’ jokes.

The first day of paper presentations, posters and panels has taken its toll on my mind. Some very interesting topics were on my menu and I enjoyed almost all of them. I managed to film most of them and will be publishing them after I have gotten the approval of the associated scholars.

Argh, I’m still hammered by the information overload. No way to clear that up. Unless ofcourse, one would relax and take the opportunity to reflect on some attractive captures of today’s activities.

And so we shall! By clicking here

We’re in Japan. Engrish is everywhere. The Digra conference is no exception. Therefore, the ‘VGV Digrish hunting’ season has now officially been opened! Send in your Digrish to info (at) vgvisionary (d0t) com!