DiGRA Central Asia

Regional Chapter of the Digital Games Research Association

Regional Chapter of the Digital Games Research Association

Connecting researchers, educators, students, and industry professionals to advance game studies across Central Asia.

Connecting researchers, educators, students, and industry professionals to advance game studies across Central Asia.

Become a Member

INTRODUCTION

About the chapter

Founded in 2025, DiGRA Central Asia is the regional chapter of the Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA). The chapter was established to create a collaborative network for game studies across Central Asia, bringing together researchers, educators, students, and industry professionals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and beyond.

DEEP DIVE

Our Mission

Connect

Research

Collaborate

Grow

Connect

Research

Collaborate

Grow

Connect

Research

Collaborate

Grow

What we do

Our Activities

Conferences:

Organize annual academic conferences that bring together researchers, educators, students, and industry professionals to share knowledge and build collaborations.

Workshops & Meetups:

Host workshops, seminars, and community meetups that encourage knowledge exchange, networking, and professional development.

Publications:

Promote the dissemination of research through conference proceedings, journal publications, and other academic outputs.

Academic Collaboration:

Foster partnerships between universities, research institutions, and industry to strengthen game studies and education across Central Asia.


People

Board Members

  • Alexandra Knysheva 🇰🇿

    Chair

  • Nazym Zhumabayeva 🇰🇿

    Executive Secretary

  • Dmitry Tuchashvili 🇰🇿

    Board Member

  • Andrey Dronin 🇰🇬

    Board Member

  • Aidai Zulum 🇰🇬

    Board Member

  • Amina Kobenova 🇰🇿

    Board Member

  • Dana Tsoy 🇰🇿

    Board Member

  • Zarina Lukhmanova 🇺🇿

    Board Member

  • Alexandra Knysheva 🇰🇿

    Chair

  • Nazym Zhumabayeva 🇰🇿

    Executive Secretary

  • Dmitry Tuchashvili 🇰🇿

    Board Member

  • Andrey Dronin 🇰🇬

    Board Member

  • Aidai Zulum 🇰🇬

    Board Member

  • Amina Kobenova 🇰🇿

    Board Member

  • Dana Tsoy 🇰🇿

    Board Member

  • Zarina Lukhmanova 🇺🇿

    Board Member

Join Us

Join DiGRA Central Asia

How to become a member:

We welcome universities, research groups, independent scholars, and industry professionals interested in game studies.

  1. Become a DiGRA Global member by purchasing an annual membership.

  1. Complete the DiGRA Central Asia Membership Form.

  1. Start participating in chapter events, research, and community activities.

DiGRA Central Asia

Join Us!

An active DiGRA Global membership is required to join the DiGRA Central Asia chapter.

Become a Member

How to become a member:

We welcome universities, research groups, independent scholars, and industry professionals interested in game studies.

  1. Become a DiGRA Global member by purchasing an annual membership.

  1. Complete the DiGRA Central Asia Membership Form.

  1. Start participating in chapter events, research, and community activities.

DiGRA Central Asia

Join Us!

An active DiGRA Global membership is required to join the DiGRA Central Asia chapter.

Become a Member

2026-2027 Programme

Annual DiGRA CA Conference

2026

Almaty, Kazakhstan

2026

Almaty, Kazakhstan

21st February

The first DiGRA Central Asia Conference was held in Almaty, bringing together participants from academia and industry to discuss game studies, game development, education, and interactive media. The conference featured keynote speakers, paper presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, laying the foundation for a growing regional research community.

  • 100+ guests attended in person

  • 60+ viewers joined the livestream

  • Speakers and showcase participants represented three Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

The program included:

  • 1 keynote lecture

  • 3 thematic sections: Gamification and Learning; Game Development, Technology, and Player Analysis; AI and Ethics in Game Design

  • 12 speakers from universities including Kazakh-British Technical University, International Information Technologies University, Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, Q University, University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as independent researchers

  • 5 game development teams presenting their projects at the showcase

    Explore the conference:

The first DiGRA Central Asia Conference was held in Almaty, bringing together participants from academia and industry to discuss game studies, game development, education, and interactive media. The conference featured keynote speakers, paper presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, laying the foundation for a growing regional research community.

  • 100+ guests attended in person

  • 60+ viewers joined the livestream

  • Speakers and showcase participants represented three Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

The program included:

  • 1 keynote lecture

  • 3 thematic sections: Gamification and Learning; Game Development, Technology, and Player Analysis; AI and Ethics in Game Design

  • 12 speakers from universities including Kazakh-British Technical University, International Information Technologies University, Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, Q University, University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as independent researchers

  • 5 game development teams presenting their projects at the showcase

    Explore the conference:

  • Conference recording

  • Conference proceedings

2027

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

2027

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

27st February

We invite researchers, educators, students and industry practitioners who study games or work with them. Suggested topics:
— game studies and game culture in Central Asia
— gamification and learning
— game development, technology and player analysis
— AI and ethics in game design
— games in education and the regional industry
Other topics related to digital games are also welcome.

How to submit
— Abstract in English, 150–300 words
— Structure: research question; novelty or contribution; methodology; results or preliminary findings
— Deadline: 23 November 2026, 23:59 (UTC+5, Tashkent / Almaty time)
— Notification of acceptance: 18 January 2027

DiGRA Central Asia Conference 2027 will take place at School 21 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Abstract submission is now open!

We invite researchers, educators, students and industry practitioners who study games or work with them. Suggested topics:
— game studies and game culture in Central Asia
— gamification and learning
— game development, technology and player analysis
— AI and ethics in game design
— games in education and the regional industry
Other topics related to digital games are also welcome.

How to submit
— Abstract in English, 150–300 words
— Structure: research question; novelty or contribution; methodology; results or preliminary findings
— Deadline: 23 November 2026, 23:59 (UTC+5, Tashkent / Almaty time)
— Notification of acceptance: 18 January 2027

Sumbit a Paper

Library

Publications

Developer workstation with a large monitor
2026

•

Radiance Cascades Compared to Unity's Standard Global Illumination Methods

Mikhail Gerassimov

Developer workstation with a large monitor
2026

•

Radiance Cascades Compared to Unity's Standard Global Illumination Methods

Mikhail Gerassimov

Laptop displaying code
2026

•

Reclaiming Play: Positioning Central Asia in Global Game Studies

Alexandra Knysheva

Laptop displaying code
2026

•

Reclaiming Play: Positioning Central Asia in Global Game Studies

Alexandra Knysheva

Developer keyboard and monitor
2026

•

How Gamification Rewards Shape Motivation: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

Milana Pak

Developer keyboard and monitor
2026

•

How Gamification Rewards Shape Motivation: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

Milana Pak

Laptop beside a coffee mug
2026

•

Achievement Surfers: A gamified runner-based learning tool for supporting revision and reinforcement of learning outcomes

Anastassiya Larionova, Alexandra Knysheva, Alina Gutoreva

Laptop beside a coffee mug
2026

•

Achievement Surfers: A gamified runner-based learning tool for supporting revision and reinforcement of learning outcomes

Anastassiya Larionova, Alexandra Knysheva, Alina Gutoreva

Read Full Papers

Read Full Papers

Call for Papers

DiGRA Central Asia 2027

DiGRA Central Asia Tashkent 2027

The second conference will take place
on 27 February 2027
at School 21 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Abstract submission is now open

Submit a Paper

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