Nearing the end of #SCMS26, and guess what's still left to talk about? P18, Reexamining Esports with @a-c-cote.bsky.social, @maxwellfoxman.bsky.social, Keung Yoon Bae, and Taylore Woodhouse. Starting in 30 min in Alpine 1.
I illustrate the framework using Forensic Architecture's investigation into the killing of Hind Rajab — a powerful example of how CGI-based journalism can pursue truth through measurement, transparency, and approximation rather than the pretense of neutral capture.
🔹 Contextual Features — Is the visual clearly tied to the story and its sources?
🔹 Informational Integrity — Is the development process documented and accessible?
🔹 Visual Equivalence — Does the image effectively convey the intended reality?
🔹 Technical Qualities — What production tools and limitations shape how it looks?
🔹 Complexity — Does the level of detail match the message's intent?
In this article, I propose fidelity as a new occupational ideology for visual journalism. Borrowed from computer science, fidelity refers to the degree to which computer-generated media accurately represent reality. I break this down into five key dimensions:
As CGI becomes a staple of newsroom production — from 3D reconstructions and immersive journalism to AI-generated visuals — how do we evaluate whether these images are truthful? The old standby of "objectivity" was built for a world of cameras and film, not rendering engines and generative models.
New article out in Digital Journalism! 🎉
"Conceptualizing Fidelity: Reimagining Contemporary Visual Journalism's Occupational Ideologies"
Open access → doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2026.2626739
I propose fidelity as a new framework for evaluating truth in CGI-based visual journalism.
More below
Submission categories: Full Papers, Short Papers, Work-in-Progress Escalator, Posters, Panels/Roundtables, Lightning Talks, and XR Demos.
Student, early career, and industry submissions are highly encouraged. Questions? Contact Me!
Details at meaningfulxr.org
About one week left to submit to Meaningful XR (2/28)
📅 May 30–31, 2026 | 📍 University of Oregon, Portland & Virtual
Submit here: event.fourwaves.com/mxr2026/subm...
Topics include XR + AI, XR in education and the workplace, game design in XR, XR's societal impact, and more.
#VR #XR #AR
Don’t know how I missed this but many thanks to @stantium.bsky.social for this kind review of @nieborg.bsky.social and my book from 2023! Read it here: muse.jhu.edu/pub/15/artic...
Before the calendar year closes out, I just want to remind everyone to consider submitting to Meaningful XR! Deadline for submissions is the end of February! We look forward to seeing your research and projects surrounding VR, AR, and XR!
Here's the link to the CFP: www.meaningfulxr.org
NEW: I spoke with the reporters behind Post Games, Aftermath, Game File, People Make Games, Rogue, and Rascal News to learn about the trials and triumphs of going independent in a shifting game media landscape dominated by conglomeration and layoffs.
Listening to Cameron Kunzelman interviewing Jacob Geller about essay writing and the vagaries of making an income on YT. Laughed out loud when Geller observed that Mr. Beast probably has terrible conversion rates on his ad sponsorships bc he targets children, aka people who don't have credit cards
Thanks to my co-authors @a-c-cote.bsky.social, @combatwombat1.bsky.social, Vasil Arangelov, Bri Sonner and Jeffery Fricke-Waters on this project! Looking forward to next steps!
Another presentation in the books for @esportsresnet.bsky.social! This one arguing for how philosophies, labor and infrastructure shape differences in collegiate esports programs.
Was very pleased to represent the EGR Lab in discussing VR Spectatorship and Esports at the annual @esportsresnet.bsky.social con. Thanks to co-director @a-c-cote.bsky.social for coordinating Twitch.
For those hoping to catch the last day, go here (it's free): esportsresearch.net/category/ern...
Thanks!
Was happy to contribute to this article helmed by Alex Leith on how VRChat became a space for coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the article here and we nicely have a visual abstract to go with it: doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
Thanks to SPJ Oregon and Nicole Dahmen for having me talk about the challenges of covering AI as it becomes an increasingly ubiquitous technology at their conference. Especially appreciate them letting me Zoom in considering me currently being in NYC
Due to a gaffe in reading from a text-to-speech program, I think if I ever do decide to get into rapping, I'll go by the moniker of MC Luhan.
How important is play to game developers? If you're interested in knowing the answer, maybe check out this new article by yours truly, as well as the amazing team of Dalton Bouzek, @chaeyunl.bsky.social and Alex Leith! doi.org/10.3389/fcom...
Another kind review of our work by Andreas Rauscher about @nieborg.bsky.social and my book! For those who speak German, this may be a good one for you: mediarep.org/server/api/c...
Another year of collaborating with the excellent Katerina Girginova and team on the Social Grammars of Virtuality Report! Want to know the dominant theories surrounding XR today? Take a look at the co-authored chapter between me and Shane Burrell there: penn.manifoldapp.org/read/theorie...
New on H-Sci-Med-Tech:
Check out Gabriel Antúnez De Mayolo Kou (UWisconsin-La Crosse)’s review of @nieborg.bsky.social (@utoronto.ca) & @maxwellfoxman.bsky.social (@uoregon.bsky.social)’s book _Mainstreaming & Game Journalism_ (2023) @mitpress.bsky.social
Review avail @hnetreviews.bsky.social
Are you still in New York or the surrounding area? Do you want to hang out and/or connect regarding the usual work stuff (games, VR/AR/XR, game journalism, etc.)? Please send me a note! I am looking forward to seeing new and old faces!
For those who don't know, I am a FEW days away from taking a year-long sabbatical from UO! For the next year, I will (mostly) be found right back home in New York City!!!!!
Glad I could be the first! Such a good read! And thanks also to @jameshodges.net for all the support we book editor.
It's the summer of reviews here in the PNW For those interested in contemporary videogame production and the complicated changes in employment and ideology in game studios, I can't recommend @brkeogh.bsky.social's book enough. Read the review here: dx.doi.org/10.1353/lac.....
Read Jim’s book! Short review is it’s very good if you’re interested in game tools!
