SAE Institute – Conservatory of Matera – Polytechnic University of Bari 12 December 2025 | ODE – Bari
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:
The role of games in shaping social norms and behaviors
1. Gender, diversity, and inclusion in gaming communities
2. Games as educational and political tools
3. 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 July.
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 /at/ sae.edu) <mailto:(cts.milano /at/ 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.
Conference fee The conference is free of charge.