On the fourth episode of Game Academy, Adam and Steph get their monthly podcast out by the skin of their teeth! Is that an idiom? What about "next lady for a shave"? None of us are really sure anymore after this month. In this episode, we lament that there isn't a dog version of Stray and talk to the wonderful Dr Matthew Higgins, Adam's colleague who somehow (by the Maker!) finished a PhD. Steph and Adam didn't even think it was possible! We talk about his PhD jouney and any tips he has for us and aspiring researchers, before chatting about his own work on the interpretation of narrative as a form of play and all the fascinating psychology that explores how we keep engaged in the games that we love. We also talk a bit about White Lake, Matt's game that will be coming to Steam in 2023! Hopefully... Finally, we talk a bit about all things Multiplay, including its new book extending June's incredible Queerness conference before teasing a jam-packed and hopefully on-time July episode.

Please tell us if "next lady for a shave" is a real idiom after listening to episode 4 of Game Academy!

Check out the Queerness book's CFP here: https://multiplaynetwork.org/call-for-papers/

Check out the mental health in games whitepaper Adam was talking about here: https://www.takethis.org/expert-content/designing-games-to-challenge-the-stigma-around-mental-health/

Follow Matt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/webedragons

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/multiplayuos

Send questions and abstracts to networkmultiplay AT gmail DOT com

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