We are delighted to be part of INTERACT 2025, the 20th IFIP TC13 International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, taking place in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from September 8-12, 2025.
Designing the Future of Play, Together
An International Forum for HCI and Game Development
Recognizing the significant global impact of digital games across entertainment, education, health, and beyond, we, as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researchers and practitioners, understand the crucial role of this medium and the need to shape its future, a conviction that has fueled increased HCI research in gaming, with dedicated conferences and events affirming the importance of HCI in designing successful gaming experiences. However, to fully utilize HCI in game development, cross-cultural collaboration is essential, as different cultural contexts and disciplinary viewpoints offer unique perspectives.
That’s why the IV Workshop on Interaction and Player Research in Game Development (WIPlay – think “us,” not “why”! We pronounce it “We Play.”) aims to overcome these limitations and promote an international approach to human-centered game design.
From Brazil to the World
WIPlay isn’t new. It evolves from a strong foundation of three successful Brazilian national workshops, held in conjunction with the Brazilian Symposium on Human-Computer Interaction (IHC) in 2019, 2023 and 2024. These workshops cultivated a national conversation around the intersection of HCI and games. This history informs our approach to the international stage. We’ve learned the value of bringing together diverse voices and fostering practical discussion around player experience evaluation, socially conscious game design, serious games, and participatory design. The decision to expand to an international platform, hosted at INTERACT 2025, is a deliberate step to amplify this impact, enriching the conversation with global perspectives and broadening the scope of research.
Why WIPlay?
Digital games have become a cultural force, impacting entertainment, education, health, and countless other domains. The HCI community has long recognized this influence, fostering dedicated research venues and acknowledging the critical role of human-centered design in crafting compelling gaming experiences. Yet, to truly advance the field, we must move beyond localized perspectives and embrace cross-cultural collaboration.
WIPlay is designed to address this need. We believe that reconciling diverse viewpoints and overcoming geographical and disciplinary boundaries is essential for developing internationally responsive models of human-centered game design. This year, we aim to:
- Explore Cultural Nuances: Delve into how cultural backgrounds and individual differences shape player experience and game design.
- Promote Inclusive Practices: Discuss strategies for creating accessible and inclusive games that cater to a diverse player base.
- Address Global Challenges: Confront the ethical, social, and technological challenges facing the game industry on a global scale.
What to Expect
WIPlay IV will feature:
- Cutting-Edge Research: Presentations of empirical studies, experience reports, and theoretically grounded discussions on a wide range of topics related to player-computer interaction.
- Cross-Disciplinary Insights: Contributions that integrate theories and methods from HCI, game studies, psychology, education, and other relevant fields.
- Networking Opportunities: A collaborative environment for researchers and industry professionals to connect, exchange knowledge, and forge new partnerships.
We encourage submissions that explore all stages of game development and address topics such as:
- Analysis of trends in game interaction research and entertainment applications
- Innovative implementation techniques affecting player experiences
- Methods for evaluating player experience and behavior
- Accessible and inclusive game design and evaluation
- Player psychology and behavior
- Games User Research in game and entertainment application development
- Case studies adopting HCI methods for Human-Centered and Player-Centered Game Design
- Game analytics and novel visualizations of player experiences
- Human factors in game development for specific contexts
- Case studies and lessons learned from game development professionals
Join Us!
WIPlay IV at INTERACT 2025 offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vibrant, international community dedicated to advancing the field of human-computer interaction in game development. We look forward to welcoming you to this stimulating and collaborative event.