culture | Polygamer

EMiSpicer is a video game culture photographer who travels the world capturing gaming events and moments. From GaymerX in New York and California to Fantastic Arcade in Texas and Blip Festival in Japan, EMiSpicer has documented conventions, conferences, festivals, and competitions with her artistic photography. When not moving, she’s at home as the social media manager for MidBoss Games, developer of 2064: Read Only Memories.

In this interview, I asked EMiSpicer how she evokes the spirit of gaming in still photography; her process for shooting and editing photos, including her gear, equipment, and backup storage setup; her favorite conventions to attend, and the capacity in which she works with the organizers; what she’s found works and doesn’t work to crowdfund her work through Patreon, and the exclusive projects she’s shared with her supporters, including Games on Planes; and how she got involved with MidBoss Games.

Stream the audio edition of this interview below or from Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Overcast, Pandora, Pocket Casts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, RadioPublic, or the Internet Archive. Click past the jump for links to resources mentioned in this episode.

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I recently attended a talk by Boston-based voice actor and ethnographer Khadeja Merenkov about the need to use cultural artifacts accurately and respectfully in video games. Don’t just use a mosque because you like mosques, she advocated; recognize what those objects represent to the culture they come from. I hadn’t previously considered that the inspirations one draws from when creating a fictional game or story need to be taken in context. I asked her onto Polygamer to talk more about how different (non-American) cultures and peoples are portrayed in games. Our discussion ranged from President Obama to Jake Gyllenhaal to Star Trek‘s Captain Sisko.

Watch the video below, or download the audio edition from Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Polygamer explores issues of equality and diversity in the gaming industry. New episodes air every other Wednesday on YouTube and in Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.

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Tag Archives: culture

Polygamer #59: Video game culture photographer EMiSpicer

Polygamer #05: Khadeja Merenkov on Cultural Gatekeepers & White Privilege