Michael Iantorno

PhD Candidate, Game Designer, and Writer

I am a FRQSC-funded PhD candidate in Concordia University’s Communication program whose research investigates videogame afterlives, game industry labour, and intellectual property law. My dissertation explores SNES/SFC preservation, reproduction, and alteration practices.

a game boy camera picture of michael's face, up close and personal

In addition to my academic work, I hack/mod old videogames, develop TTRPGs as one half of Mammoth Island Games, and write about games and the people who make them. My projects have been showcased in books, radio programs, conferences, newspapers, and more.

Feel free to reach out if you are looking for a guest lecturer or workshop facilitator, need someone for a podcast or news story, want some reading recommendations, or would just like to say hello!

The best way to get in touch is through email (michael.iantorno@gmail.com).

Recent Work

a cartoon illustration of a person wearing a pink hoody with little devil hornsIf You Don’t Like the Game, Change the Rules: Alternative Modes of Videogame Production
White paper for Game Arts International Network (2023)
a set of red dungeons and dragons dice like on a character sheet, in front of a bookContent creators and corporations clash in Dungeons & Dragons licensing fiasco
Feature article for The Conversation (2023)
Background Checks: Disentangling Class, Race, and Gender in CRPG Character Creators
Journal article for Games & Culture (2023)
An excerpt from the cover of "Game Wizards" featuring two minis that depict Gary Gygax and Dave Areneson, and a d20 with the "0" showing.Game Wizards: The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons
Book review for Press Start (2023)
A pixelated game boy, with fire and water swirling inside of it, sits on a black backgroundSolar Game Boy Workshops & Game Jam
Workshops and game jam completed in collaboration with Concordia's Solar Media Collective (2022-2023)
A close up on a Samus sprite from Super Metroid.See You Next Mission: An Analysis of the Super Metroid VARIA Randomizer
Journal article for ROMchip (2021)
Michael Iantorno PhD Candidate, Game Designer, and Writer