Call for Papers (and proposal for publication):

Games Matters: Innovating Game Studies and Research
SAE Institute – Conservatory of Matera, Polytechnic University of Bari
December 12, 2025
Bari, Italy
https://www.ais-sociologia.it/evento/games-matters-innovating-game-studies-and-research/

Deadline for submission of abstracts: June 30, 2025

The rapid evolution of technology has profoundly influenced the way games are designed, experienced, and interpreted. As a medium that blends artistic vision, technological advancement, and cultural narratives, games represent a fertile ground for examining innovation at multiple levels. The integration of artificial intelligence, procedural generation, immersive technologies, and interactive storytelling has reshaped not only game mechanics but also the very nature of player engagement and creative authorship.

This shifting landscape raises fundamental questions about the future of game studies:

• How do emerging technologies redefine the artistic value and aesthetic language of video games?
• In what ways do advancements in game design—such as AI-driven content creation and adaptive storytelling—challenge traditional authorship and creative processes?
• How does the intersection of technology and gaming impact broader cultural narratives, from representations of identity and diversity to the formation of digital communities?

To address these inquiries, this conference, “On Games Matters: Innovating Game Studies”, seeks to explore how innovation in game design, artistic expression, and socio-cultural dynamics is transforming our understanding of video games as a creative and cultural form.

CONFERENCE SCOPE AND KEY THEMES

We invite original contributions that foster a dialogue on the evolving landscape of game studies, particularly reflecting innovative theoretical perspectives and applied research. The conference is structured around three main panels, each focusing on a distinct yet interconnected aspect of game studies:

GAMES AND THE ARTS. Examining the intersection between video games and artistic practices, this panel welcomes research on the aesthetic dimensions of gaming, including visual design, narrative structures, soundscapes, and performative aspects of gameplay. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

1. Games as artistic expression and interactive storytelling
2. Visual and sonic aesthetics in video game design
3. Experimental and avant-garde game projects
4. Games and transmedia artistic practices

GAME DESIGN AND INNOVATION. This panel focuses on the evolution of game mechanics, player experiences, and the impact of emerging technologies on game design. Scholars, developers, and industry professionals are encouraged to submit research on:

1. AI and procedural content generation in game design
2. Immersive experiences (VR, AR, XR) and their implications
3. Accessibility and inclusive game development
4. The impact of UX/UI innovations on player engagement
5. Ethical considerations in AI-driven game design

GAMES, SOCIETY, AND CULTURE. Games are powerful cultural artifacts that influence and reflect social realities. This panel invites research on the socio-cultural implications of gaming, including issues of representation, identity, and community-building. Topics include:

1. The role of games in shaping social norms and behaviors
2. Gender, diversity, and inclusion in gaming communities
3. Games as educational and political tools
4. Ethical concerns in game development and monetization

The conference will conclude with a roundtable discussion featuring three keynote speakers, offering a broader reflection on the present and future directions of game studies.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

We invite scholars, researchers, designers, and industry professionals to submit extended abstracts of up to 300 words, including a title, research question, methodology, and key findings. Submissions should clearly indicate the panel they are addressing. The deadline for abstract submission is June the 30th. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by July the 15th.

Accepted presenters will have the opportunity to submit a full paper for consideration in a peer-reviewed publication following the conference. Further details on the publication process will be provided upon acceptance.

Abstracts should be submitted in PDF format via email to cts.milano@sae.edu with the subject line: Games Matters – Abstract Submission. The abstract should be no longer than 500 words, including a short bibliography. it should be clear the subject, the detail of the methods, and an introduction of the main results.

Authors should add two-lines short bio to the abstract. For any inquiries, please contact the organizing committee at micalizzi@sae.edu, fabrizio.festa@conservatoriomatera.it, mariospada5@gmail.com, tommaso.dinoia@poliba.it, claudio.pomo@poliba.it.

We look forward to your contributions to advancing the dialogue on game studies and shaping the future of this evolving field.

TIMELINE

June 30: Deadline for abstract submission

July 15: Confirmation of acceptance of a selection of abstracts

September 30: Full papers draft submission [4.000 words, references excluded]

December 1: Final version full papers submission

Proceedings will be published in an e-book, by P+Arts Academic Press House; a selection of the extended version of the papers [8.000 words, references included] will be considered eligible for a special issue with an international peer-reviewed scientific journal. More details will be shared after the first submission.

CONFERENCE FEE

The conference is free of charge.

REFERENCES

Adams, E., & Rollings, A. (2010). Fundamentals of Game Design. New Riders.

Bogost, I. (2007). Persuasive Games: The Expressive Power of Videogames. MIT Press.

Consalvo, M., & Paul, C. A. (2019). Real Games: What’s Legitimate and What’s Not in Contemporary Videogames. MIT Press.

Ensslin, A. (2014). Literary Gaming. MIT Press.

Flanagan, M. (2009). Critical Play: Radical Game Design. MIT Press.

Frasca, G. (2003). Videogames of the Oppressed: Videogames as a Means for Critical Thinking and Debate. Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA).

Huntemann, N., & Payne, M. (Eds.). (2019). How to Play Video Games. NYU Press.

Isbister, K. (2017). How Games Move Us: Emotion by Design. MIT Press.

Juul, J. (2019). Handmade Pixels: The Independent Video Games and the Quest for Authenticity. MIT Press.

McErlean, K. (2018). Interactive Narratives and Transmedia Storytelling: Creating Immersive Stories Across New Media Platforms. Routledge.

Salen, K., & Zimmerman, E. (2004). Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals. MIT Press.

Sicart, M. (2011). The Ethics of Computer Games. MIT Press.

Shaw, A. (2014). Gaming at the Edge: Sexuality and Gender at the Margins of Gamer Culture. University of Minnesota Press.

Taylor, T. L. (2018). Watch Me Play: Twitch and the Rise of Game Live Streaming. Princeton University Press.

Uricchio, W. (2020). Cultural Histories of Video Games. Routledge.

BOARD

Vito Walter Anelli – Politecnico di Bari
Carmelo Antonio Ardito – Politecnico di Bari
Matteo Bittanti – università IULM
Alessandro Costella – SAE Institute
Vincenzo Cuccia – NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti
Tommaso Di Noia – Politecnico di Bari
Fabrizio Festa – Conservatorio di Matera
Ilaria Mariani – Politecnico di Milano
Alessandra Micalizzi – SAE Institute
Biancamaria Mori – SAE Institute
Ivana Muriani – IGDA Italy
Claudio Pomo – Politecnico di Bari
Corrado Santoro – SAE Institute
Mario Spada – Conservatorio di Matera
Francesco Toniolo – NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti
Stefano Triberti – Università Pegaso
Giulia Trincardi – NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti