title: That Dragon, Cancer: Contemplating life and death in a medium that has frequently trivialized both

authors: Schott, Gareth R.

subjects: post-self

abstract: As a game mechanic, death has primarily been used to punish players for mistakes and failure. Over-reliance on screen-death possibly constitutes one of the most dated aspects of digital games as a contemporary medium. This paper considers why this artefact of historical forms and content persists (Zimmerman, 2007), and in doing so, how it continues to trivialize the otherwise irreversible nature of the cessation of human life, and the sense of loss and grief experienced by those who are close to the deceased. In particular, this paper discusses the game That Dragon, Cancer (Numinous Games, 2016) for the manner in which it contributes towards a redefinition of the relationship between gaming and death. It is argued that the game allows the medium to tackle contemporary Western issues associated with the experience of death, and avoids contributing further to the ‘emotional invigilation’ (Walter et al., 1995) of death via its re-appropriation as an entertainment form. That Dragon, Cancer’s status as a game is also commented on, and defended, in terms of the player experience it offers.

text: That Dragon, Cancer: Contemplating life and death in a medium that has frequently trivialized both As a game mechanic, death has primarily been used to punish players for mistakes and failure. Over-reliance on screen-death possibly constitutes one of the most dated aspects of digital games as a contemporary medium. This paper considers why this artefact of historical forms and content persists (Zimmerman, 2007), and in doing so, how it continues to trivialize the otherwise irreversible nature of the cessation of human life, and the sense of loss and grief experienced by those who are close to the deceased. In particular, this paper discusses the game That Dragon, Cancer (Numinous Games, 2016) for the manner in which it contributes towards a redefinition of the relationship between gaming and death. It is argued that the game allows the medium to tackle contemporary Western issues associated with the experience of death, and avoids contributing further to the ‘emotional invigilation’ (Walter et al., 1995) of death via its re-appropriation as an entertainment form. That Dragon, Cancer’s status as a game is also commented on, and defended, in terms of the player experience it offers.

year: 2017

title: The Economic Contribution of Religious Charities to New Zealand.

authors: Chevalier-Watts, Juliet

abstract: This article considers religious charities from an original perspective, that of their economic contributions to society as an alternative argument to those who wish to see religious charities struck from the charity sector. This is timely because of recent national and international changes to charity law legislation and policies. In essence, the article has demonstrated that religious charities contribute significantly in economic terms to New Zealand society generally, and further, measuring the public benefit of religious charities through an economic lens may assist in determining the differing ways in which religious charities contribute to, and benefit, society.

text: The Economic Contribution of Religious Charities to New Zealand. This article considers religious charities from an original perspective, that of their economic contributions to society as an alternative argument to those who wish to see religious charities struck from the charity sector. This is timely because of recent national and international changes to charity law legislation and policies. In essence, the article has demonstrated that religious charities contribute significantly in economic terms to New Zealand society generally, and further, measuring the public benefit of religious charities through an economic lens may assist in determining the differing ways in which religious charities contribute to, and benefit, society.

year: 2025

title: Kia mau ki te aka matua: Researching Māori development and learning

authors: Hohepa, Margie Kahukura

abstract: The article involves a search for what might be useful, relevant and appropriate research framework for Māori for the study of Māori development and learning. It is also an attempt to articulate psychological approaches that will validate indigenous cultural epistemologies that support indigenous movements towards self-determination and that also provide useful tools for examining development and learning.

text: Kia mau ki te aka matua: Researching Māori development and learning The article involves a search for what might be useful, relevant and appropriate research framework for Māori for the study of Māori development and learning. It is also an attempt to articulate psychological approaches that will validate indigenous cultural epistemologies that support indigenous movements towards self-determination and that also provide useful tools for examining development and learning.

year: 2015