Onerva
Puhakka
Doctoral Researcher, Degree Programme in Digital Culture, Landscape and Cultural Heritage
MA, Doctoral Researcher
Retro games and fan art
Contact
Areas of expertise
Digital Culture
Game Cultures
Retro Gaming
Fan Studies
Biography
Onerva Puhakka is a doctoral researcher at the University of Turku (JUNO). She is currently working on her PhD on retro game fan art in Digital Culture.
Research
She studies retro games and fan art, often using materials collected from social media platforms. In her current research, bodyplay, meaning the playful use and representation of the body in fan art, has emerged as a central phenomenon. Her previous research has addressed video games from the 1990s, nostalgia, early video game memories, immersion and flow, escapism, and nostalgic gaming experiences.
Publications
Eroottinen retropelifanitaide keholeikkinä (2025)
Pelitutkimuksen vuosikirja
(A1 Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä lehdessä )