Call for Papers
Fifth annual International Conference on Games and Narrative (ICGaN 25)
Theme: Adapt, Adopt, Adjust: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Adaptation, Storytelling and Simulation
March 3-6, 2025
Hosted by the Games Institute, University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada [Also online]
https://uwaterloo.ca/games-institute/events/international-conference-games-and-narrative-2025
Deadline for submissions: November 20, 2024
Below are some details from the CfP, but please also check out the website as there is more discussion and description of the theme and types of submissions we are looking for there.
THEME & TOPICS
We are looking for interdisciplinary work understanding adapted and adaptive experiences, narratives, mechanics, and gameplay. Some example topics include:
Narrative and design structures in games and play:
- Time, space, and perspective
- Characters, Non-Player Character (NPC) behaviour, language learning models (LLMs), and artificial intelligence (AI)
- Hypertext fiction and programming languages
- Narrative determinism
- Innovative design or application of game mechanics
- Applied, serious, and persuasive games (e.g., games and play for health, wellbeing, and learning)
Technology’s influence on narrative, design, and play:
- Relationships between technology and narrative
- Accessible and inclusive design
- Virtual reality, mixed-reality devices, augmented reality, and haptics
- Novel and emerging tools for game creation and analysis
- Player and gameplay models for adaptive design
Narrative co-creation in games and play:
- The relationship between designer, text (object of analysis), and player
- Agency and performativity
- Emergent narrative and storytelling
- Social and multiplayer games
- Livestreaming, parasocial relationships, fandom, and games culture
- Games narratives for pedagogy
Presence and immersion in narrative, design, and play:
- Player experience and gamification
- The impact of identity on immersion and presence
- Environmental storytelling
- Worldbuilding
- Simulating cultures, societal issues, history in games and play
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Submissions are to submitted via EasyChair: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=icgan2025
All submissions will undergo a single-blind review. Accepted submissions will be published as Extended Abstracts in Conference Proceedings.
For questions, please email icgan.submissions@uwaterloo.ca
All submissions MUST include (unless otherwise stated):
- At least 3 citations (use ANY citation style you are comfortable with). These are NOT included in the word count. NB: Demoes do NOT require citations.
- 100–150-word author(s)’ statement(s) including:
- Full Name
- Affiliation (institutional, industry, independent, etc.)
- Description of research, publications, and presentations
- The author’s statement is NOT included in the word count
- Abstract/description of the contribution (details below)
Paper or Video Essay Submissions:
Individual or co-authored presentations can be either finished works or works-in-progress (i.e. dissertation research, or original, incomplete work from on-going research)
- 300–800-word abstract outlining the work
Panel Submissions:
- 500–800-word abstract describing:
- The panel’s motivation
- Its goals and themes
- 150–200-word abstracts for each panelist’s contribution
Workshop Submissions:
Workshops can also include game jams, the creation or teaching how to use design tools, storytelling, etc.
- 500–800-word abstract including:
- The workshop’s motivation
- Its goals and themes
- Schedule and structure of workshop activities; and
- Any components that are needed to run it
Demo Submissions:
- 250-word abstract outlining video/analogue game creation or interactive narrative experience in the demo
- Link to 3-minute demo of the interactive artefact
- No citations needed
DATES & DEADLINES
Submission deadline: November 20, 2024, 11:59 p.m. AoE
Conference dates: March 3, 2025 – March 6, 2025
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