Jesper Juul+

FDG'26 Conference proceedings here: dl.acm.org/doi/book/10....

FDG'26 Conference proceedings here: dl.acm.org/doi/book/10....

Final day of hosting Foundations of Digital Games conference at the Royal Danish

Final day of hosting Foundations of Digital Games conference at the Royal Danish Academy. Wonderful four days! Thanks especially to my co-organizer Alessandro Canossa, keynote speakers, program chairs and to all helpful colleagues and volunteers at the academy. Thank you! fdg2026.org

Since this is an ACM-associated conference, we follow ACM policies. www.acm.org/

Since this is an ACM-associated conference, we follow ACM policies. www.acm.org/publications...

We are hosting the Foundations of Digital Games 2026 conference August 10-13 in

We are hosting the Foundations of Digital Games 2026 conference August 10-13 in Copenhagen. Fabulous keynotes by Valentina Nisi, Tim Garbos, and Miguel Sicart. See you in August! Read more and register here: fdg2026.org

We knew it was going to happen.

We knew it was going to happen.

Thanks to everybody who made it happen.

Thanks to everybody who made it happen.

Happy to share that my book Half-Real is out in complex Chinese, titled "電玩的本質 -

Happy to share that my book Half-Real is out in complex Chinese, titled "電玩的本質 - 遊走於真實規則與虛構世界的藝術"!

Important competition celebrating our unsung vermin friends.

Important competition celebrating our unsung vermin friends.

Join our Visual Game & Media Design two-year master’s program at the Royal Danis

Join our Visual Game & Media Design two-year master’s program at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. Deadline March 1st! Visual Game & Media Design is a cross-disciplinary program open to all creative BA students. Read more about the program here: royaldanishacademy.com/en/programme...

For our Visual Game & Media Design MA program in Copenhagen, we have an online i

For our Visual Game & Media Design MA program in Copenhagen, we have an online info meeting this Friday Feb 6th'26 at 1PM. Please join if your interested! kglakademi.dk/da/event/vis...

Conceptual Napping. I mistyped, but this has vast advantage over trite conceptua

Conceptual Napping. I mistyped, but this has vast advantage over trite conceptual mapping. To work out the problem, let's start with a Conceptual Nap. Let's go, team!

Proud to welcome Victor Navarro-Remasal's "Zen and Slow Games" in the Playful Th

Proud to welcome Victor Navarro-Remasal's "Zen and Slow Games" in the Playful Thinking Series!

Right! There seems to be a specific carve-out for code, for which most people ar

Right! There seems to be a specific carve-out for code, for which most people are OK with AI being used.

You CAN do something, namely move to a work environment not controlled and monit

You CAN do something, namely move to a work environment not controlled and monitored by (US) big tech. www.jesperjuul.net/ludologist/2...

Quite precise: We are more positive about AI generation in areas outside our own

Quite precise: We are more positive about AI generation in areas outside our own expertise; we worry more about our own jobs.

And here is one about walking simulators: jesperjuul.net/text/aesthet...

And here is one about walking simulators: jesperjuul.net/text/aesthet...

Here is a paper about open and expressive games: jesperjuul.net/text/without...

Here is a paper about open and expressive games: jesperjuul.net/text/without...

The best way to see it is that analog games mostly followed a "classic game mode

The best way to see it is that analog games mostly followed a "classic game model", but that video games often move beyond that model, as can be witnessed in both open-ended simulation games (Sims, SimCity, simulators) and in walking simulators. jesperjuul.net/text/gamepla...

Not a holiday piece, but could be, Linus Åkesson's version of Ravel's Boléro for

Not a holiday piece, but could be, Linus Åkesson's version of Ravel's Boléro for mostly Commodore 64-derived instruments, with a floppy drive, NES, and Amiga thrown in. As always, an explosive combination of technical and musical skill, and understatedness. #c64 www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMGb...

Not a holiday piece, but might as well be, Linus Åkesson's version of Ravel's Bo

Not a holiday piece, but might as well be, Linus Åkesson's version of Ravel's Boléro for mostly Commodore 64-derived instruments, with a floppy drive, NES, and Amiga thrown in. As always, an explosive combination of technical and musical skill, and understatedness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMGbGGllQoE

Get the book here: jesperjuul.net/c64/

Get the book here: jesperjuul.net/c64/

My Commodore 64 book, Too Much Fun, is 1 year old! A gift for someone you know,

My Commodore 64 book, Too Much Fun, is 1 year old! A gift for someone you know, interested in game or computer history? Link in the comments. What is even older? I wrote this Commodore 64 holiday demo, "The Ghost of Xmas" in (checks watch) 1989! Happy holidays!

I think Infomaniak's kSuite, CryptPad, or Drime are nearly on par. www.jesperjuu

I think Infomaniak's kSuite, CryptPad, or Drime are nearly on par. www.jesperjuul.net/ludologist/2...

Interviewed about my Commodore 64 book by the Carlsberg Foundation, who supporte

Interviewed about my Commodore 64 book by the Carlsberg Foundation, who supported my stay at MIT and the book's publication. Thanks!

FDG'26 call for papers! We will be hosting the ACM conference Foundations of Dig

FDG'26 call for papers! We will be hosting the ACM conference Foundations of Digital Games 2026 conference here at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen August 10-13 2026. The call for papers is out now: https://fdg2026.org/call-for-papers/ We hope to see you (and your paper) at FDG’26.

FDG'26 call for papers! We will be hosting the ACM conference Foundations of Di

FDG'26 call for papers! We will be hosting the ACM conference Foundations of Digital Games 2026 conference here at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen August 10-13 2026. The call for papers is out now: fdg2026.org/call-for-pap... We hope to see you (and your paper) at FDG’26!

AI Rule #1: Cynical writers use AI. Also: Who will pay for consulting, when AI

AI Rule #1: Cynical writers use AI. Also: Who will pay for consulting, when AI can generate something just as default and vacuous for free? Or will consulting firms claim to offer something more personal, human, and special? arstechnica.com/ai/2025/10/d...

Stafan Höltgen has kindly reviewed Too Much Fun (in German). "What is astonishi

Stafan Höltgen has kindly reviewed Too Much Fun (in German). "What is astonishing is both the breadth and depth with which the author presents the platform." www.hsozkult.de/searching/id...

You mean it's just a general lack of (data) literacy? I see the point. People al

You mean it's just a general lack of (data) literacy? I see the point. People also used to take Google to be an oracle.

2) As I recall Piaget, he has a similar distinction (named in reverse!) between

2) As I recall Piaget, he has a similar distinction (named in reverse!) between "regularities" (what governs the activity, such as throwing marbles) and "rules" (the goal).

Probably yes (the rules are what govern the game). But it is perfectly possible

Probably yes (the rules are what govern the game). But it is perfectly possible to make distinction. I think there are two variations. 1) The Bernard Suits argument that there is a pre-existing "goal", and "the rules/game" - constitute a limitation of what players can do. ...

And why even ask us the question?

And why even ask us the question?

What are the European alternatives to Google Docs and Microsoft 365 for students

What are the European alternatives to Google Docs and Microsoft 365 for students, writers, and project workers? I couldn't find any good answers, so I have reviewed the four top packages and provided my recommendations. I hope you find it useful! https://www.jesperjuul.net/ludologist/2025/05/20/docs-office-alternatives/

A History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #12: The Commodordion –

A History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #12: The Commodordion – two C64s = one Accordion Full story at https://jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj12 The surprisingly long history of the C64 shows that old tech can still create something entirely new. https://youtube.com/watch?v=EBCYvoC4muc #c64

"A History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #11: Turrican II - Kee

"A History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #11: Turrican II - Keeping up with the Amiga Full story at https://www.jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj11 Coming Jan 17th: Object 12 – The Commodordion – two C64s as musical instrument #c64 #c64games

The Commodore 64’s commercial life ended before the internet, so early C64 cultu

The Commodore 64’s commercial life ended before the internet, so early C64 culture was mainly material. The lucky few got *paper* invites to a demo party. Object #10: You are Invited to a Demo Party Full story at https://www.jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj10 Coming Jan 10th: Object #11 – Turrican II - keeping up with the Amiga #c64

The Commodore 64 came with glaring flaws like slow tape, slow disk drive, and mi

The Commodore 64 came with glaring flaws like slow tape, slow disk drive, and missing BASIC commands. Commodore newer fixed these problems but Final Cartridge did. Full story at https://www.jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj9 Coming Jan 3rd: Object #10 – You are invited to a Demo Party #c64

Writing a book takes a long time, so I am excited to share that Polygon has sele

Writing a book takes a long time, so I am excited to share that Polygon has selected Too Much Fun: The Five Lives of the Commodore 64 as one of "The 6 best video game books of 2024". Happy holidays! https://www.polygon.com/deals/499835/best-video-games-books-2024 #c64

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #8: Floppy disk (wit

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #8: Floppy disk (with pirated games) Full story at www.jesperjuul.net/c64/history/... Coming December 27th: Object #9 – Final Cartridge; fixing the C64's flaws #c64

The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #7: The SID Chip – Co

The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #7: The SID Chip – Commodore 64 Music Full story at jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj7 What was your favorite C64 music? Coming December 20th: Object #8 – Floppy disk (with pirated games) #c64

My book "Too Much Fun: The Fives Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer" about games

My book "Too Much Fun: The Fives Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer" about games and computers, is out today! Too Much Fun is for anyone interested in computer or game history, in how devices can be made to live longer, and for anyone who had, or didn't have, a Commodore 64. "The surprising history of the Commodore 64, the best-selling home computer of the 1980s—the machine that taught the world t

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #6: Wizball and othe

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #6: Wizball and other Scrolling Games On the C64 invention of the scrolling action-adventure game. Full story at https://jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj6 Coming December 13th: Object #7 – The SID Chip – Commodore 64 Music #c64

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #5: Zzap!64, Compute

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #5: Zzap!64, Compute's Gazette and 64'er magazines - game reviews, code, and type-in programs. Full story at https://jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj5 Coming December 6th: Object #6 – Wizball and other scrolling games #c64

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #4: Impossible Missi

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #4: Impossible Mission and Tapes "Another Visitor. Stay a while, stay forever!" What are your memories of C64 games and tapes? Full story at shorturl.at/6XycJ Coming November 29th: Object #5 – Zzap!64 and other magazines. #c64

The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #3: "We promise you w

The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #3: "We promise you won't use the Commodore 64 more than 24 Hours a Day" - advertising https://www.jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj3

The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #2, 10 PRINT “HELLO”:

The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects". Object #2, 10 PRINT “HELLO”: GOTO 10 https://www.jesperjuul.net/c64/history/#obj2

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects", posted weekly from November

"The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects", posted weekly from November 1st, 2024. (On the occasion of my upcoming book "Too Much Fun: The Five Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer".) Object #1: The Commodore 64 itself, known affectionately as the breadbox for its shape. Launched in 1982, following the Commodore company’s successful VIC-20 computer (1980). https://www.jesperjuul.net/ludolog

The cover for my new book is here! (Book coming December 10th.)

The cover for my new book is here! (Book coming December 10th.)

TinyLlama taking the prize for least knowledgeable AI:

TinyLlama taking the prize for least knowledgeable AI:

The MIT Press "All about Gaming" book bundle, featuring seven Playful Thinking t

The MIT Press "All about Gaming" book bundle, featuring seven Playful Thinking titles. https://www.humblebundle.com/books/all-about-gaming-mit-press-books