Research-creation of alternative controller games

This panel addresses the emergent field of alternative controller game design in the con-text of academic research. Alternative controllers are a mix of custom-created devices and / or re-appropriations of conventional input and feedback devices for novel interactions. In this paper, five practice-based researchers address topics and problems inherent to the relationship between alternative controller games and their field of research. Tatiana Vilela dos Santos, is a researcher in alternative controller game design at the University of Lorraine focuses on the specifics of alternative controller game design as opposed to traditional game design. Enric Llagostera, researcher at Concordia University focuses on alternative controller game design as a political practice. Edward Melcer, researcher and professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, focuses on the educational aspect of alternative controllers. Mona Bozdog, researcher and lecturer in immersive experience design at Abertay University focuses on accessibility issues raised and solved by alternative controller games. Lynn Love, researcher and lecturer in computer arts at Abertay University focuses on the socialisation made possible thanks to alternative controller games.