Program & Output

A Two-Part Schedule

The GAMES WIS is articulated in two distinct but connected parts.

The first part will take place during Lucca Comics & Games (November 2 - 3, 2019) and is preliminary to the second part, being characterized by informal dialogues and meetings aimed at verifying the theoretical and practical background of each participant. These moments will be integrated in the festival schedule, so as to allow the best experience of both. Also, participants will be given the opportunity to attend selected events at LC&G

The second part will take place just after Lucca Comics & Games (November 4 - 7, 2019) and is the educational core of the GAMES WIS. On the morning, participants will attend two lectures covering specific topics by top game scientists, game experts and game designers (topics include: game design, game theory, games for social change, psychology of games, edutainment, experimental research on gaming, kickstarting a game). On the afternoon, participants will be divided in groups to work at the development of a game project, under the supervision and tutoring of top game designers and game experts. On the evening, participants will have time to develop autonomously their project, play-test them and, of course, to enjoy free gaming activity.

On the last day of the GAMES WIS (November 8, 2019), the groups' projects will be presented by the participants and publicly discussed by the GAMES WIS faculty and scientific committee.

Final Project Output

In order to provide applicants with the tools to achieve their formative goals, the GAMES WIS program includes a number of collective and individual activities aimed at developing a structured proposal for the design of a Game for Social Change project. Games for Social Change are structured to reproduce virtuous behaviors through game activities, as well as promoting good practices and the awareness of social consequences of one’s own actions. The design of a Game for Social Change is a challenge demanding an array of theoretical and practical skills, as well as creativity and understanding of social reality.

The most promising project among those presented throughout the GAMES WIS will be selected to go through a further process of analysis, development and production. This will eventually form the basis for a field research conducted by the GAME Science Research Center and aimed at measuring the efficiency of games as a mean for social change.

Program

SAT, November 2 and 3

From 10 AM of the first day: check in and registration

Both days: schedule integrated with LC&G19 + guided participation to selected events

See list of events HERE (continuously updated, check often!)

MON, November 4

9 AM -11 AM: Lecture - “Introduction to game design” - by Eric Lang and Andrea Chiarvesio

11 AM -13 AM: Lecture - “Game theory for game design” - by Leonardo Boncinelli

2 PM - 6PM: Game design and development workshop - tutored by Andrea Chiarvesio, Eric Lang, Francesco Nepitello, Matteo Bisanti

6 PM - end of day: Free projects development & play activities

TUE, November 5

9 AM -11 AM: Lecture - “Thematic Game Design” - by Francesco Nepitello

11 AM -13 AM: Lecture - “How to kickstart your 'disaster'” - by David Preti

2 PM - 6PM: Game design and development workshop - tutored by Andrea Chiarvesio, Eric Lang, Francesco Nepitello, Matteo Bisanti

6 PM - end of day: Free projects development & play activities

WED, November 6

9 AM -11 AM: Lecture - "Games as Educational Tools" - by Andrea Ligabue

11 AM -13 AM: Lecture - "Games as Products" - by Eric Lang and Andrea Chiarvesio

2 PM - 6PM: Game design and development workshop - tutored by Andrea Chiarvesio, Eric Lang, Matteo Bisanti, Andrea Ligabue

6 PM - end of day: Free projects development & play activities

THU, November 7

9 AM -11 AM: Lecture - "The Empirics of Game Effectiveness" - by Ennio Bilancini

11 AM -13 AM: Lecture - "Games as psychometric tools" - by Alan Mattiassi

2 PM - 6PM: Game design and development workshop - tutored by Andrea Chiarvesio, Eric Lang, Matteo Bisanti, Alan Mattiassi

6 PM - end of day: Free projects development & play activities

FRI, November 8

10 AM: Projects presentation

13 AM: Press Conference & Closing Remarks

LIST OF CONFIRMED TUTORED PLAY ACTIVITIES PROPOSED (to be carried out every day after 6PM):

• Exploration of RPG mechanics (by Matteo Bisanti)
• Exploration of Games for Social Change (by Matteo Bisanti and Alan Mattiassi)
• Exploration of the hidden educational consequences of famous board games (by Andrea Ligabue)
• Learn how to communicate your project (by Matteo Bisanti)
• ....