ABOUT US

The Klagenfurt Critical Game Lab (KCGL) is a teaching and discussion framework built around the shared experience of playing video games. Founded in 2015 by René Reinhold Schallegger at the University of Klagenfurt, the KCGL was born out of a simple but powerful idea: that video games, when approached methodically and collectively, can serve as a basis for academic discussion.

What began as a practical teaching tool for the Master’s programme in Game Studies and Engineering has grown into a versatile framework applied across a wide range of contexts, from university seminars and academic conferences to cultural events. At its core, the KCGL brings together students and participants from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, including humanities, media studies, engineering, and beyond, creating an interdisciplinary space where theoretical and methodological perspectives meet the shared experience of play. The result is an open, collaborative, academically grounded environment where critical thinking and curiosity are equally welcomed.

Whether you are a student, researcher, educator, or simply someone who loves games and wants to think more deeply about them, the KCGL has a place for you.