Dr Costantino Oliva (Institute of Digital Games, University of Malta) and Prof. Akito Inoue (Ritsumeikan Center for Game Studies, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto) recently participated in an Erasmus+ ICM exchange between the two institutions. Ritsumeikan University is one of the top leading private universities in Japan with a history of 120 years, and is home to more than 2,700 international students representing diverse cultures from 77 countries and regions. The mobility strengthened the existing relation between the IDG and the RCGS, and brought new perspectives on Game Studies to students of both Universities.
Dr Oliva visited Kyoto for a week. The mobility involved lecturing the students of Ritsumeikan University on cutting edge topics related to musicking with digital games, focusing on the musical forms of participation made possible by Japanese games. Local students also tested and provided feedback on a new, original digital game designed by Dr Oliva. Currently in development, the game takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese motif “Night Parade of 100 Demons”, and features folkloristic yokai spirits engaging in playful musical activities. The test focused on the cultural context evoked by the game, as well as on the musical interactions involved. Finally, Dr Oliva participated in the symposium . The one-day event, hosted by the Center for Computer Game Studies and co-organised by the IDG’s own Prof. Stefano Gualeni, featured multiple international academics, including Dr Daniel Vella (IDG), Prof. Gualeni, and IDG alumnus , currently Assistant Research Professor at Hong Kong Baptist University. Dr Oliva presented a new article published in the about the seminal Japanese music game “Otocky”.
The exchange was subsequently followed up by a visit from Prof. Inoue to the University of Malta. Prof. Inoue lectured the students of the M.Sc. in Digital Games on topics related to Japanese Game Studies, focusing on archiving and preservation of digital games. Prof. Inoue also guest lectured undergraduate students enrolled in the “Introduction to Digital Games Studies” unit, reaching a diverse audience and exposing students to the topic of play from a unique, Japanese-inspired perspective. Finally, Prof. Inoue held an open lecture at the IDG, engaging with members of the Maltese digital game industry. During the event Prof. Inoue discussed his serious game "#denkimeter" (CEDEC AWARD, Game Design Category, Excellence Award), a power-saving game released at the time of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
After a lengthy stop caused by the COVID19 restrictions, the Erasmus+ ICM inter-institutional agreement between the two institutions is currently ongoing, and will likely result in further mobilities next year. The exchange has so far contributed to the academic relationship between Malta and Japan, as well as providing a platform for international collaborations between Game Studies scholars.
