Nina Kiel

For years, Nina Kiel has been expanding the definition of what gaming can mean—from multiple perspectives. On the one hand, they examine how gender stereotypes are portrayed in video games, combining scholarly rigor with an entertaining approach. In doing so, they highlight how games can either contribute to social discourse or, conversely, ruthlessly expose how they act as a distorting mirror that continues to reinforce outdated gender roles.

On the other hand, in their blog and the audio series Random Encounters, they explore the topic of sexuality in games. There, they lead engaging discussions and conversations with a diverse group of guests. Whether it’s interviews with sex workers in Second Life, games that deal with coming outs, or the question of why game journalism struggles to talk about sex in games—Nina Kiel succeeds in opening up new areas of discussion and making them accessible.

They also consistently and skillfully articulate their views on panels, in media interviews, and during lectures. Overall, Nina Kiel thus fulfills the promise of video games having “arrived in the mainstream” in two ways: first, by demonstrating how diverse games can be in their execution and themes, and second, by giving gamers access to new worlds of gameplay and insight.

The DCP Jury 2021