Welcome to Leveller, the podcast where two academics dive deep into the intersection of video games and politics. Join PhD students Emma Brewis and Adam Cooper as they discuss video games as a medium through which to stretch, challenge, and transform our thinking.
In each episode, they dissect how games reflect, shape, and inform political discourse. Through engaging discussions and interviews with fellow academics, they delve into topics like security, democracy and the influence of gaming communities on real-world politics.
Whether you're a seasoned gamer, a political junkie, or simply curious about the ways in which games intersect with the wider world, Leveller has something for you. Join us as we embark on an intellectual journey through the pixels, exploring the rich and complex relationship between video games and politics.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Leveller, the podcast where two academics dive deep into the intersection of video games and politics. Join PhD students Emma Brewis and Adam Cooper as they discuss video games as a medium through which to stretch, challenge, and transform our thinking.
In each episode, they dissect how games reflect, shape, and inform political discourse. Through engaging discussions and interviews with fellow academics, they delve into topics like security, democracy and the influence of gaming communities on real-world politics.
Whether you're a seasoned gamer, a political junkie, or simply curious about the ways in which games intersect with the wider world, Leveller has something for you. Join us as we embark on an intellectual journey through the pixels, exploring the rich and complex relationship between video games and politics.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this very special final episode of the first season of Leveller, we look back on our year and discuss which games we think deserve some extra attention in our Alternative Political Game Awards. Join us to hear which game got us most thinking about the threat posed to nature by big corporations, which made us think about engagement, our overall best game of the year, and many many more.
Game List
Adam:
Stray
Alan Wake 2
Valorant
Fortnite
Content Warning
Chained Together
Another Crab's Treasure
Baldur's Gate 3
Crusader King's 3
Divinity Original Sin 2
Black Myth Wukong
Callisto Protocol
Citizen Sleeper
Cult of the Lamb
Elden Ring
Sims 4
Stardew Valley
Dead Rising Remaster
Deus Ex Mankind Divided
Dredge
Left 4 Dead 2
Moonring
Firewatch
Gris
Ghostrunner 2
Hades 2
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Papers, Please
Thirsty Suitors
Chants of Sennaar
Still Wakes the Deep
Venba
Inscryption
Kentucky Route Zero
Papa's Quiz
Mario Kart
Alba
Snipperclips
Layers of Fear
Final Fantasy XVI
Silent Hill 2
Thank Goodness You're Here
Rainbow Six Siege
Helldivers 2
Balatro
Emma:
World of Goo
Papers Please
Inside
Gunpoint
Error 143
A Date with Death
Hades 2
PalWorld
Huniepop
Boyfriend Dungeon
El Paso Elsewhere
Dave the Diver
Moonring
Control
Farcry 5
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lethal Company
Stardew valley
Sims
Mario Kart
Mario Party
Snipperclips
Alba
Kentucky Route Zero
Cult of the Lamb
Papa's Quiz
Tears of the Kingdom
Dead Cells
Valorant
The Finals
2XKO
Inscryption
Thank Goodness You're Here
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why do the Tories choose bad leaders? Why are they so divided? And what role does ideology play?
In this episode, we are joined by Oliver Booth, fellow PGR at the University of Leeds and researcher of the Conservative Party and British Politics. We talk to Oli about Crusader Kings 3 (vaguely) to discuss the path to power, party instability, factionalism, and much more!
Works mentioned:
Booth, O. (2024). The Downfall of Boris Johnson: Analysing Patterns of Opinion among Conservative Parliamentarians in the Confidence Motion and Mass Resignations. Representation.
Booth et al. (2023). Selecting Sunak: Conservative MPs’ Nomination Preferences in the (Second) British Conservative Party Leadership Election. Parliamentary Affairs. Volume 77, Issue 3, July 2024, pp.450–469.
Heppell, T. & Booth, O. (2023) The Conservative Party Leadership Election of 2016. In Roe-Crines, A. S. & Jeffery, D. (eds.) Statecraft: The Policies and Politics of Prime Minister Theresa May. (pp. 13-32). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Find Oli here:
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we discuss Ustwo’s 2020 Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, a heartwarming exploration game in which you play a young girl who documents wildlife and strives to save the local nature reserve from being replaced by a luxury hotel while visiting her grandparents. Join us as we explore what Alba has to say about the trade-offs between economic growth and environmentalism, the power of community action, and the role of young people in changing the world.
Works mentioned:
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What role does social media play in our lives? Is there life after data? And what does the future look like in a world where privacy is a luxury?
In this episode, we welcome Paul Geyer, PGR at the University of Leeds, political theorist and five-a-side football star. We talk to Paul about Watchdogs 2 to discuss what happens to social media after data, neofeudalism and the challenges of privacy.
Works mentioned:
Find Paul here:
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this podcast episode, we delve into "Papers, Please," the 2013 simulation game which immerses players in the role of an immigration officer in the fictional country of Arstotzka. Through its gameplay mechanics and narrative, we examine the moral dilemmas faced by bureaucrats tasked with enforcing strict border control policies. Join us as we explore whether bureaucratic systems can uphold moral values amidst the complexities of governance and individual decision-making.
Works mentioned:
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What is legitimate violence for women? How does emotion guide gendered violence? And who gets to tell women's stories?
In this episode, we welcome our friend and scholar Emily Gee, PGR at the University of Leeds. She uses The Last of Us Part II to explore her powerful research on peacekeeper sexual violence, touching on themes of agency, conflict and insecurity.
Works mentioned:
Find Emily here:
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does Stardew Valley have to say about corporations? How does it encourage us to think about and interact with the environment? And is community romanticised in Stardew Valley?
In this episode, we discuss Eric Barone's 'cosy game' Stardew Valley, a farming simulator which grapples with how to live well in a difficult world. Join us as we explore these themes and ask ourselves how well Stardew Valley functions as a critique of capitalism.
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What role does employment play in rebuilding after conflict? Can you do peace without justice? And what gets in the way of reintegration ?
In this episode, we welcome our friend and colleague Ged Hiscoke, PGR at the University of Leeds. He explores Deus Ex: Mankind Divided through the lens of his fascinating research on the role of employment in preventing conflict.
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What role does resentment play in shaping our political choices? Why might the left behind be nostalgic, even for a past that never existed? And why might someone turn to sacrificing the young to a demonic Black Goat in order to save a dying town?
Join us as we discuss Night in the Woods in an attempt to try to answer these questions and more!
Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com
Avatars by MostlyPixels / Lunaii @ https://www.avatarsinpixels.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
