Meaningful Play 2026
Organized by Carnegie Mellon University
Meaningful Play 2026 brings together academics, game designers, and educators to explore how games and play can change people's lives.
- Dates
- Oct 13-15, 2026
- Location
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Deadline
- -
- Attendees
- 250
- Vendors
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About this conference
Meaningful Play 2026 brings together academics, game designers, and educators to explore how games and play can change people's lives. Hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in partnership with Michigan State University, this conference focuses on the theory, research, and game design innovations related to games, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. Key themes include exploring meaningful applications of games from an academic research perspective, practical insights into designing meaningful play, and the intersection of learning, education, and games. Attendees can expect thought-provoking keynotes, peer-reviewed paper presentations, panel sessions, innovative workshops, roundtable discussions, and exhibitions of games and prototypes. The main conference runs October 13-15, with an optional extra day for play in Pittsburgh on October 16.
Sponsorship options
Opportunities are available for sponsors to help mitigate registration costs for students and to provide conference meals. Organizations interested in sponsorship should contact the conference chair for details.
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