When

Where

Storey Hall Lecture Theatre
RMIT University
Corner of Swanston St & La Trobe

and Online

Tickets

Available soon

Digital Gaming Intimacies is a ticketed public event exploring intimacy in online game worlds. Speakers from game makers, game livestreaming influencers, sex toy designers, digital media scholars, and game curators will explore critical themes of identity, playfulness, design ethics, environment, mentorship, and community across the spectrum of digital games, game livestreaming, gameplay, and game design.

This year's conference features a keynote by Dr. Kim Barbour and Dr. Matt Hart examining the emergence and development of non-toxic masculinities in digital games and livestreaming, and how these spaces can foster positive male identities and behaviours, counteracting the often harmful stereotypes and behaviours prevalent in these communities.

Complementing this is the "dad vibes" in games panel, spotlighting the wholesome livestreamers of Twitch and YouTube whose warm, mentorship-driven streams offer young men a trusted third space to seek advice, foster community, and gently challenge toxic bravado - an inspiring example of how organic, supportive gaming networks are redefining ethical play and collective flourishing. Surrounding these feature talks, attendees will hear from local designers considering environmental intimacies, game software and hardware development, and how playing with intentionally intimate controllers and actions creates rich conversations and enhances our intimate relationships through games.