Call for Submissions

• Maximum of 8000 words (not including abstract, or references), plus a 500 word abstract.

• Using the Submission Template in Microsoft Word .doc or .docx format.

• Submissions should be made ANONYMOUS to hide author identities.

All papers will be anonymously peer reviewed by three reviewers including members of the program committee and relevant external reviewers recruited by them. Authors will be provided with reviewers' critical comments as well as any suggestions for revision prior to publication.

Upon acceptance of a submission authors will have four weeks to incorporate reviewer feedback and prepare a camera ready version of the paper to be published in the conference proceedings ahead of the conference start.

Authors of accepted papers are expected to present their work at the conference in an approximately 15-minute presentation. Paper presentations will be grouped into thematic sessions to the extent possible given the range of accepted papers.

• Maximum 500 abstract describing the game

• A set of instructions for how to access the game for judging and evaluation, this can contain links to executables or videos if the game involves special hardware

• Submission to this track at NOT anonymous

• Before submitting a game to Meaningful Play, you must have obtained the permission of all persons or entities having any rights in the game.

• Games that make use of previously released commercial engines or technology are only eligible if they have the legal right to exhibit the game as-is. (NOTE: You do not necessarily need the right to publish the game to exhibit.)

• Games that make use of art and audio assets not created by the game authors are only eligible if they have the legal right to exhibit the game as-is.

• Game mods (game add-ons that require the installation of another game in order to be played) are not eligible unless you provide a legal copy of the game with submission for judging and bring a legal copy for exhibition.

• Games run on a commonly available platform (PC, Mac, Console, Mobile, etc.) available to reviewers OR we may ask developers who submit games that require special hardware that is difficult to obtain to submit a demonstration video of the game being played. Non-digital games are also acceptable.

• Games in various stages of completion are eligible for Meaningful Play, but the game must be in a form that is presentable and playable for judging and exhibition.

In addition to the general entry requirements stated above, the following requirements also must be met to be eligible to be listed as a “student created” entry:

• Only students (high school, undergraduate, or graduate) may have worked on the game, and those student developers must have been enrolled in school during the primary development time of the game.

• You must have had no professional help developing your entry. The spirit of this event is to showcase what students can do, unassisted by professionals. Guidance and assistance from your instructor/professor is fine and should be duly credited.

All games submitted to Meaningful Play will be peer-reviewed. Game submissions will be reviewed by at least two members of the academic community or game industry specializing in the area of the game’s focus. Authors will be provided with reviewers’ critical comments as well as any suggestions for revision. Worthy projects will be selected and shown at the Meaningful Play Game Exhibition held at the conference.

Upon acceptance of a submission authors will be contacted by the conference organizers to collect needs and logistical constraints for showcasing the game.

If your game submission is accepted and you confirm your attendance, please take note of the following:

• You will be expected to attend the Meaningful Play conference and exhibit your game title. Such exhibition will include, without limitation, (i) staffing an exhibition booth and demonstrating the game during the exhibition time; and (ii) conducting yourself in a manner that upholds the good name and reputation of the Meaningful Play conference.

• Meaningful Play will provide one display area for each accepted game, which will consist of table space and hook-ups for electricity and Wi-Fi Internet connectivity. Teams will be expected to supply any additional hardware necessary to operate the game.

• You will be responsible to cover your expenses of attending Meaningful Play, including the conference registration fee, travel, meals, and accommodations.

• You will be responsible for bringing your own equipment for exhibition. This includes computing hardware, display, speakers, and any special equipment or hardware, such as force-feedback hardware, stereo-vision glasses, other headgear, graphics or audio cards.

• You will be expected to create a sign with at least the following components: the title of Game, one screenshot or frame grab from the game, the list of authors, and a brief description of the game, including what is unique or innovative about the game such as the technology, game design, purpose of the game, or intended audience. The sign should be free standing and will be exhibited on the table with the game.

All exhibited projects will have the option of being included in the game competition. The game competition will take place at the conference itself. During exhibition times, a panel of judges will rate the games in each category. The categories will likely include:

• Best Non-Digital Game

• Best Student Created Non-Digital Game

• Best Digital Game

• Best Student Created Digital Game

Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite games (for a People’s Choice Award.)

Winners and runner-ups in each category, as well as the People’s Choice Award, will be announced and prizes will be distributed at an awards ceremony that will take place during the closing session of the conference.

• Max 500 words abstract describing the direction of the talk

  • An optional supplementary document may be provided. This document will only be used to inform the review process and will not appear in the program or proceedings.

• Submissions should NOT be made anonymous.

Submissions to the Talks track will be curated by members of the organizing team to ensure a breadth of topics and in the program. 

Upon acceptance of a submission authors will be asked to submit camera ready abstract and title describing their talk to appear in the program and conference proceedings.

Talks are given a maximum of 5-10 minutes (depending on the size of the program) and organized into topical sessions in a rapid fire format. No time for questions is provided between talks in a session but some general discussion time will be available at the end of a Talk session. More concrete details on talk expectations will be provided upon acceptance.

• An abstract of 500 words describing the topic and goals of the session

• A description of the envisioned format and plan for the session

• A description of and logistical needs, or other requirements.

• Submissions should NOT be made anonymous.

Submissions to the Hosted Sessions track will be curated by organizers to ensure a breadth of topics and formats in the program. 

Upon acceptance of a submission authors will be contacted by the conference organizers to collect needs and constraints for the scheduling of the session. If multiple submissions seem highly related, organizers may suggest collaboration between authors to host a single session.

All sessions at the conference will be organized into 90 min blocks and organized concurrently with other sessions. Hosted Sessions may propose to take place during one or more blocks (e.g. a 2 block session would be 180 min long, a 4 block session would be a full day). Hosted sessions will take place in a dedicated space at the conference venue and accommodated to the extent possible based on their proposed plan.

• Maximum of 1000 words (not including abstract, or references) short paper draft describing the work that will be presented on the poster

• Using the Submission Template in Microsoft Word .doc or .docx format.

• Submissions should be ANONYMOUS to hide author identities. 

All papers will be anonymously peer reviewed by two reviewers including members of the program committee and relevant external reviewers recruited by them. Authors will be provided with reviewers' critical comments as well as any suggestions for revision prior to publication.

Upon acceptance of a submission authors will have two weeks to incorporate reviewer feedback and prepare a camera ready version of the paper and poster to be published in the conference proceedings ahead of the conference start.

Posters will be presented during dedicated poster sessions at the conference. Posters will be hung together in a common space and attendees encouraged to engage with authors directly in conversation.