The IV Workshop on Interaction and Player Research in Game Development (WIPlay – think “us”, not “why”! We pronounce it “We Play.”) invites you to submit your work and contribute to a global discussion on the forefront of human factors in digital game development. This international forum provides a unique platform for researchers, practitioners, and students to share their expertise, explore new ideas, and build lasting collaborations.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Play!
WIPlay offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vibrant and collaborative community dedicated to advancing the field of HCI in game development. We encourage you to submit your work and be part of this exciting event.
WIPlay seeks submissions that:
- Tackle the complex challenges and unlock the transformative opportunities at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction and game design and evaluation. We encourage submissions that push the boundaries of current understanding, addressing critical issues such as player experience, playability, engagement, motivation, accessibility, and the ethical implications of game technologies.
- Explore innovative and human-centered approaches to understanding and enhancing player experiences. From novel methods for capturing player emotions and motivations to cutting-edge techniques for personalizing gameplay, we seek submissions that prioritize the player and their unique needs.
- Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange across a range of fields, including HCI, game studies, psychology, education, sociology, and more. We believe that the most impactful innovations arise from the synthesis of diverse perspectives and expertise, and we encourage submissions that bridge disciplinary boundaries.
- Contribute to a global conversation about the future of games and interactive entertainment, shaping the direction of research, development, and design for years to come. We seek submissions that not only present new findings but also offer insightful reflections on the current state of the field and propose bold visions for the future.
Submission Categories:
WIPlay welcomes submissions in the following categories:
1. Research and Experience in Games (8-10 pages):
This category is for authors who want to present scientific investigations or critical reflections based on an appropriate theoretical and methodological framework on user research with games. Submissions should present original research findings, rigorous evaluations, or in-depth analyses related to WIPlay’s topics. We encourage submissions that:
- Present empirical studies of player behavior, motivation, or experience.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different game design techniques or technologies.
- Analyze the impact of cultural, social, or individual factors on gameplay.
- Discuss challenges and lessons learned from conducting user research in game development.
- Demonstrate the application of HCI methods to improve game design and development processes.
Research papers should present and discuss scientific investigations directly related to WIPlay’s topics. Experience reports should provide critical reflections on user research based on an appropriate theoretical and methodological framework.
2. Game Perspectives (6-8 pages):
This category provides a space for sharing critical views, reflections on current practices, visions on the community’s future or research, or any other theme related to WIPlay’s topics. Submissions should offer thought-provoking perspectives, challenge conventional wisdom, or propose new directions for the field. We encourage submissions that:
- Critically examine existing HCI practices in game development.
- Explore ethical considerations related to player data, game design, or accessibility.
- Propose novel theoretical frameworks for understanding player experience.
- Discuss the future of HCI in the context of emerging gaming technologies (e.g., VR/AR, AI).
- Share personal reflections on the challenges and rewards of working in the game industry.
Opinion papers should share critical views, reflections on current practices, visions on the community’s future or research, or any other theme related to WIPlay’s topics.
3. Game Lab (4-6 pages):
This category welcomes proposals for interactive “mini-sessions” focused on either co-design or gameplay evaluation. These sessions offer a hands-on opportunity to brainstorm solutions for known problems or evaluate/discuss ongoing games with fellow participants.
Proposals should clearly specify the type of session (co-design or gameplay) and include the following information:
- Description of the targeted problem or the game being evaluated: Provide sufficient background information to contextualize the session.
- Goals of the proposed session: Clearly state what you hope to achieve during the mini-session.
- Planned activities during the workshop: Describe the specific activities that participants will engage in.
- Points for discussion: Outline the key questions or topics that will be explored.
- Intended user group, if applicable
For a co-design mini-session, the proposal should also explain:
- The design challenge being addressed.
- The proposed design activities (e.g., brainstorming, sketching, prototyping).
- The expected outcomes of the session.
For a gameplay mini-session, the proposal should also present:
- The game being evaluated.
- The goals of the evaluation session.
- A description of the gameplay or evaluation procedures.
- Key aspects of player interaction that will be discussed with participants.
In both cases, it is essential to highlight the connection to HCI and how it contributes to the workshop’s themes.
Submission Guidelines:
- All submissions must be original and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
- Page limits do not include references.
- Submissions should be formatted according to the [INTERACT 2025 formatting guidelines](soon).
- Submissions should be submitted electronically through the [WIPlay submission system](soon)
Information on required formatting for submissions (including templates and style guides) will be released shortly.
Important Note Regarding Publication and Presentation: Accepted submissions will be included in the workshop proceedings. To ensure inclusion and to facilitate meaningful discussion, at least one author of each accepted submission is required to register for the INTERACT conference and present the work in person at WIPlay. Authors are expected to actively participate in all workshop activities.
IMPORTANT DATES
- May 12, 2025: Submission Deadline
- June 9, 2025: Notification of Acceptance
- June 16, 2025: Deadline for at least one author of accepted submissions to register for INTERACT
- June 23, 2025: Camera-Ready Deadline
If you have questions about the workshop, you can contact us by email:
Ticianne Darin, UFC, Brazil – ticianne(a)virtual.ufc.br
Kamila Rios, ICMC/USP, Brazil – kamila.rios(a)icmc.usp.br
Georgia Cruz, UFC, Brazil – georgia(a)virtual.ufc.br
Diego Ricca, UFC, Brazil – diegoricca(a)daud.ufc.br
Leonardo Tórtoro, UNESP, Brazil – leonardo.t.pereira(a)unesp.br