In the early 2010s ideas of what videogames could be - and who they could be by and for - seemed to be expanding. But in 2014 the Gamergate movement threw these hopes into doubt. An online harassment campaign targeting women, minorities and progressives, Gamergate is now widely seen as a catalyst for the rise of the alt-right, the manosphere and Trumpism.

But how did makers of artistic and experimental videogames respond to this moment? Rob’s talk will show how artgames creators used new tools and platforms to twist familiar genres, characters and mechanics into strange new shapes, taking Gamergate as a spur to imagine more inventive and inclusive futures for gaming.

Rob is a lecturer in Digital Media Industries at King’s College London. He has written about games and digital culture for The Guardian, The New Inquiry and The Architectural Review, and is the author of two books: Videogames, Identity and Digital Subjectivity (2017) and Artgames after Gamergate (2025).

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday, the 14th of November 2025 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.