GALA 2026 Call for papers

Main Track (Click to expand/collapse)

You are cordially invited to submit papers to the 15th Games and Learning Alliance Conference (GALA Conference 2026; https://conf.seriousgamessociety.org/). GALA Conference 2026 is an international conference organized by the Serious Games Society in collaboration with the University of L’Aquila.

The conference will take place in L’Aquila, Italy from 17th November to 20th November 2026. The objective of the conference is to provide an international forum for the dissemination and exchange of scientific information on theoretical, generic, and applied areas of game-based learning.

We are seeking original contributions that advance the state-of-the-art in game-based learning. With game-based learning we refer to, and are inclusive to (1) Gamification, (2) Games for Learning (i.e., Serious / Applied Games), and (3) Playful Learning. Position Papers and Experimental studies are strongly encouraged too.

Topics of Interest

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Educational Science track

Educational effectiveness of Serious Games (SGs)
Methodologies of studying educational effectiveness of SGs
Educational theories and their application in the field of serious games
Pedagogical approaches and teachers role in SGs
SGs in learning assessment and as an educational research tools
Learning by making games
SGs enhancing literacy, numeracy, and higher-order thinking
SGs for business applications (innovation, cultural change, strategic decision making)
Use of AI in SGs for competency building

AI & Serious Games Track

AI-driven game design and generative content creation (narrative, dialogue, characters, scenarios, procedural generation)
AI-driven Adaptive and personalised learning systems
Explainable AI for learner feedback
Learning analytics and predictive modelling
AI-enhanced gameplay and interaction (AI-driven NPCs, conversational agents, large language models as tutors, autonomous simulation agents)
Serious games for AI literacy and AI competence development
Ethics, governance, fairness, and responsible AI in serious games

Cognitive Science track

Theoretical and empirical investigations of cognitive and learning mechanisms in SGs
Application of cognitive theories to evidence-based serious game design
Motivation, engagement, flow, and cognitive affective dynamics
Individual differences and learner variability in SG contexts
Serious games as experimental platforms for cognitive research
Assessment and modelling of cognitive processes within SGs (stealth assessment)
SGs for neurodivergent and clinical populations
Neuroscientific and neurocognitive approaches in SG research

Technology track

Human-computer interaction for SGs (hardware, software)
Extended reality (XR): augmented reality, mixed reality, virtual reality
Modelling and simulation
Learner performance modelling, assessment and feedback
Learning analytics
Adaptivity and personalisation in SGs
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Big data for SGs
Tools and applications for neuro-scientific game research
Computing architectures for SGs
Immersive and multimedia experiences
Computer graphics and visual effects
Emotions and affective interaction
Interactive narrative and digital storytelling
Smart toys for learning
Efficient development tools
Support for development of gamified solutions
Security and privacy in SGs

Game Design track

Design and implementation of SGs mechanics (score, rewards, achievements)
Mapping educational goals, outcomes and principles into serious game mechanics
Research methods for SGs and playing experience evaluation
Inclusive design and accessibility issues
Emotional design in serious games
Evidence-based development of serious games
Ubiquitous/pervasive gaming
Balancing in games (realism, engagement, learning, entertainment)
Collaboration and cooperation aspects
Design for behavioural Change
AI-supported game design and ideation

Application track

Case studies on developing/deploying SGs and gamified systems
User studies applying SGs in training (professional, corporate, workforce programs)
User studies studying effectiveness of the games
Understanding how, when, with whom, for what to use SGs
Human factors and boundary conditions for using SGs
Evaluation of impact, longitudinal studies
Assessing personal abilities through SGs
Usability studies
Serious games for behavioural change
Serious games to support small/family businesses
Serious games for rural/remote areas and cultural/natural heritage

Industrial track

Distribution models
Game analytics
Serious games studies
Models for serious games
Monetization models & strategies
Pervasive and mobile gaming
Gamification
Products supporting serious games development and deployment

Media and cultural studies track

Analysis of SGs and play
Analogue games and game design
Interactive narrative and digital storytelling
Cultural context of SGs and play
Ecogames
Theory and philosophy of SGs and play
(Media) literacy games and ludoliteracy
Political economy of SGs and play
Representation in SGs and play
Game design and playful pedagogy
Histories of SGs and play

Authors’ Instructions

Papers have to be submitted through the Easychair system. Requirements are as follows:

The maximum length of a submitted paper is 15 pages INCLUDING references (and appendixes; if applicable).
Submitted papers need to be anonymized by the authors by removing any identifying author and institution information from the submission.
Authors should consult Springer’s authors’ instructions and use their Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) proceedings templates, either for LaTeX, Word, or Overleaf, for the preparation of their papers. Springer encourages authors to include their ORCIDs in their papers, though this is optional.
Papers not meeting these requirements will be desk rejected.

The reviewing process used by GALA is double-anonymized, meaning that the paper authors do not know the identities of the reviewers, and the reviewers do not know the identities of the authors. Papers will receive three (3) reviews, upon which the track chair can make the decision to accept or reject the full paper.

The main track of GALA Conf is reserved for fully developed research papers. Submissions will undergo a binary decision process: papers will be either fully accepted for publication (expecting authors to process reviewer feedback where reasonable for the camera-ready copy), or rejected. The option of acceptance as a short paper is no longer available.

We recommend authors of research that is not yet fully developed, to submit their work to Work in Progress Track or PhD Symposium. Proceedings for these tracks will also be published on Springer Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS), indexed by Scopus.

All accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings published on Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) . A dedicated special issue with an upgraded version of the best papers of the conference will be published in The International Journal of Serious Games. The corresponding author of an accepted paper, acting on behalf of all of the authors of that paper, must complete and sign a Consent-to-Publish form.

At least one author of each accepted paper is required to register for the conference (regular or student rate).

Main Track Dates

Full Paper Submissions

Monday, 22 June 2026
Notification of acceptance

Monday, 10 August 2026
Camera-ready

Friday, 28 August 2026

Work in Progress Track (Click to expand/collapse)

Aim of the Work in Progress Track

The Work in Progress (WiP) Track at GALA 2026 provides a forum for researchers and practitioners to present ongoing, preliminary, or exploratory work related to games, serious games, gamification, and playful technologies for learning, training, and societal impact.

The goal of this track is to encourage the early sharing of ideas, foster open discussion, and promote constructive feedback within the GALA community. The WiP track is particularly suited for work that is not yet mature enough for the main conference track but can strongly benefit from community input.

Topics of Interest

Topics include, but are not limited to:

Serious games and game-based learning (early-stage studies)
Gamification concepts, frameworks, and prototypes
Educational game design ideas and tools under development
Learning analytics and learner/player modeling (preliminary results)
AI and Generative AI for games and learning (concepts and pilots)
Adaptive and personalized learning systems (work in progress)
XR (AR/VR/MR) learning environments and prototypes
Simulation-based learning and digital twins (initial designs)
Early evaluation results and pilot studies
Ethical, inclusive, and accessible game-based learning approaches
Games for sustainability, health, civic engagement, and social impact
Industry-oriented training games (proofs of concept)

Interdisciplinary and exploratory contributions are especially welcome.
Papers that are not within the scope of the conference will be desk-rejected.

Submission Guidelines

Paper length: 9 pages maximum, including references
Format: Springer LNCS format (same as in the Main Paper Track)
Submission type: Work in Progress paper
Proceedings for this track will be published on Springer Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS), indexed by Scopus.

Papers not meeting these requirements will be desk rejected.

Submissions should describe ongoing research, preliminary results, novel ideas, prototypes, or conceptual frameworks, clearly outlining:

the motivation and context of the work,
what has been achieved so far,
what remains to be done,
which aspects would most benefit from feedback and discussion.

Types of Contributions

Research-oriented papers: where there is a theoretical background, a description of the work and a clear focus on discussing preliminary results.
Practice-oriented papers: where there is a transparent description of the application/practice/prototype/use-case to demonstrate its relevance, preliminary results and outcomes achieved, future agenda and/or next steps.
Vision/position papers: where there is a clear theoretical background and relevant ideas and discussion that advance the state-of-the-art in the area.

At least one author of each accepted paper is required to register for the conference (regular or student rate).

Review Process

We follow a rigorous and constructive review process. Reviewers are instructed to review your paper as a Work-in-Progress Paper. To make this process transparent, you should upload your paper via EasyChair and indicate the primary and secondary contribution type:

Research-oriented papers
Practice-oriented papers
Vision/position papers

Submissions will be reviewed by members of the WiP Track Committee, with a focus on:

relevance to GALA topics;
originality and potential impact;
clarity of the idea and approach;
potential to stimulate discussion within the community.

Presentation and Visibility

Accepted WiP papers will be presented during dedicated poster sessions at the GALA 2026 main conference.
Poster sessions are designed to foster informal discussion, networking, and knowledge exchange.
Authors will have ample opportunity to interact with researchers, practitioners, and industry representatives.

Why Submit?

The GALA 2026 Work in Progress Track is an excellent opportunity to:

share early-stage research and innovative ideas;
receive timely and constructive feedback from the community;
test research directions before full-scale evaluation;
connect with researchers and practitioners in the field;
actively participate in the vibrant Games and Learning Alliance community.

Important Dates (tentative)

Paper submission deadline

Monday, 6 July 2026 (AOE)
Notification of acceptance

Monday, 10 August 2026
Camera-ready submission

Friday, 28 August 2026
Conference dates

17–20 November 2026

PhD Symposium (Click to expand/collapse)

Aim of the PhD Symposium

The PhD Symposium at GALA 2026 offers a dedicated and supportive forum for PhD students conducting research in the areas of games, serious games, gamification, game-based learning, and playful technologies for education, training, and society.

The symposium is explicitly designed as a mentoring-oriented event, where the review process and on-site discussions aim to provide constructive feedback, foster reflection, and support the professional growth of early-career researchers.

Both early-stage PhD students (problem formulation, research design) and late-stage PhD students (validation, results, thesis consolidation) are strongly encouraged to submit.

Topics of Interest

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Serious games and game-based learning
Gamification and motivational design
Educational game design methods and tools
Learning analytics and player/learner modeling
Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI for games and learning
Adaptive and personalized learning systems
XR (AR/VR/MR) and immersive learning environments
Simulation-based learning and digital twins
Evaluation methods for games and learning experiences
Ethics, accessibility, and inclusiveness in game-based learning
Games for learning and training

Interdisciplinary contributions combining computer science, education, psychology, design, AI, and social sciences are particularly welcome.

Submission Guidelines & Structure

Paper length: maximum 9 pages, including references.
Format: Springer LNCS format (same as the main GALA conference).
Submission type: PhD research paper.
Submissions should clearly describe the PhD research project, its current status, and planned future work.
Papers are expected to emphasize research questions, methodology, and reflection, rather than polished final results.
Proceedings for this track will be published on Springer Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS), indexed by Scopus.

Papers not meeting these requirements will be desk rejected.

Mandatory Paper Structure

All submissions must follow the structure below, which is designed to support a common basis for mentoring, review, and discussion during the PhD Symposium:

Introduction and Research Context
Research Problem and Objectives
State of the Art and Positioning
Research Methodology
Current Status of the PhD Project
Planned Work and Research Roadmap
Open Challenges and Discussion Points
Expected Impact and Career Perspective

At least one author of each accepted paper is required to register for the conference (regular or student rate).

Review Process and Mentoring

Submissions will be reviewed by members of the PhD Symposium Committee, who will act as mentors rather than traditional reviewers. The review will focus on:

clarity and relevance of the research problem;
soundness and coherence of the methodology;
appropriateness with respect to the PhD stage;
potential for discussion and improvement.

The feedback provided will form the basis for structured, mentor-led discussions during the PhD Symposium.

Symposium Format and Activities

The PhD Symposium Day will include:

mentor-led discussion sessions on accepted papers;
invited seminars on topics of interest for young researchers (e.g., user studies);
hands-on activities aimed at professional skills development, collaboration, and community building.

Visibility and Participation in the Main Conference

All accepted PhD projects will be presented during the poster sessions of the main GALA 2026 conference, ensuring broad visibility within the community.
The best three PhD projects will also be invited to deliver a short oral presentation during the main conference program.

Recognition and Awards

A Best PhD Project Award will be conferred upon an outstanding doctoral research paper, selected based on a combination of review scores and feedback from the Advisory Board. The award recipient will:

be formally announced during the conference closing session;
receive an official certificate, signed and stamped;
be featured through a dedicated announcement on the conference website.

This award aims to acknowledge and promote excellence in doctoral research, providing emerging scholars with increased visibility within the academic community.

Why Submit?

Share your PhD research with an international and interdisciplinary community;
Receive high-quality, constructive feedback from experienced researchers;
Participate in career-oriented seminars and hands-on activities;
Build meaningful connections within the Games and Learning Alliance;
Actively contribute to—and enjoy—the vibrant and welcoming GALA community.

PhD Symposium Dates

Paper submission deadline

Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Notification of acceptance

Monday, 10 August 2026
Camera-ready submission

Friday, 28 August 2026
Symposium Date

Tuesday, 17 November 2026
Conference dates

17-20 November 2026

2026 Serious Games Competition (Click to expand/collapse)

Aim of the Competition

The GALA 2026 Serious Games Competition aims to celebrate the best digital games for learning in the world. Organised by the Games and Learning Alliance Conference as a friendly game contest, the awards are based on an analysis of the games by Serious Games experts.

Shortlisted games will be promoted on the Serious Games Society social media channels. Authors will also be invited to write a short abstract for their game, which will be published in our annual book of abstracts.

Student Prize: The three shortlisted student games will also receive one free conference ticket and a €300 travel grant from our sponsor Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation (CAPTRS).

Submission Requirements

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Platform

Games must be submitted via the Easychair system.

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Format

Submit a playable/executable version, a demo video, and a short game description.

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Instructions

All submissions must include a README file with installation and playing instructions.

🗂️

Large Files

For large files, please compress the folder using .zip format only.

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Eligibility Note

Previously submitted games are not eligible for repeat entry unless there has been a substantial update.

Ready to submit your game?

Please review the full guidance before proceeding to the Easychair system.

📄 Submit Instructions (PDF)

Assessment Criteria

Our highly experienced jury uses a rating scale from 0 (lowest) to 5 (highest) to score each submission against 10 core criteria, plus the relevance to the conference theme.

Effectiveness The capability of the game to reach its learning objectives.

Efficiency The capability of the game to reach its objectives without wasting time.

Usability Ease/pleasantness of use and learnability.

Feedback and assessment • Feedback and assessment support ease.

Exploitability in a learning context How simple is to use the game in a real context.

Reusability Reusability in different learning contexts.

Motivating Capability of motivating the user (on the learning topic).

Engaging Capability of engaging the user (in the gameplay).

Originality Plot, characters, user interaction, etc.

Technological Innovation and value Graphics, artificial intelligence, etc.

What’s next? Frequently asked questions

When will the shortlist be announced?

All competition entrants will be contacted in the mid-September 2026 to confirm the outcomes of the shortlisting stage. The shortlist will also be communicated via the GALA social media channels shortly after.

What happens if my game is shortlisted?

If your game is shortlisted this means that your game will be in the running as possible winner for one of the submission categories. As such, the team or at least one person from the shortlisted game must attend to demonstrate their Serious Games at the GALA Exhibition at University of L’Aquila in L’Aquila, held during the conference.

My game is a physical tabletop game (board game/card game), can I still submit it?

Yes. Physical tabletop games are welcome – however, because the jurors are based around the world, you must provide a digital way for them to review and play your game. Please submit:

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A video clearly demonstrating gameplay, setup, and key mechanics; and
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A digital version of the game, either as a playable implementation on Tabletopia (or equivalent platform) or as a print-and-play file that can be easily downloaded and assembled.

Any authors who submit without a playable or printable digital version accept that the jury will base their decision on the gameplay video only.

We also welcome all games being demonstrated at the conference exhibition, regardless of submission status.

How long should the demo video last?

A video between 5 – 8 minutes is generally enough to showcase the game experience. However, you can also send a longer gameplay video if you feel it is necessary.

What language can I submit my game in?

English is the preferred language for submissions and unfortunately this is the only language we can guarantee the jury will be able to work in. If submission in English is not possible, games can be accepted provided:

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The game instructions are in English
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The games are easy to understand
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The game is not completely reliant on language to function.

Would we still be eligible to win the category if we weren’t able to attend?

No. Attending the conference exhibition is required for the game to be awarded.

How should teams/individuals travel there?

Please see the travel recommendations outlined on the conference website.

Will there be a stipend available for shortlisted games?

The 3 shortlisted student games will each be awarded a free ticket for the full conference and a $300 travel grant provided by our sponsor CAPTRS. Unfortunately no other concessions are available.

Is it possible to give us an idea of how many submissions there were and how many participants there are now in the shortlist?

This information can be confirmed after the closing date for submissions.

Who can I contact for more help?

Please feel free to contact our competition committee with any further questions:

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Kristina Risley, University of Southampton: K.Risley@soton.ac.uk
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Mariana Rocha, Technological University Dublin: mariana.rocha@tudublin.ie

Competition Dates & Attendance

Submission deadline

2nd August 2026 (will not be extended)
Shortlist Announcement

Mid-September 2026
Mandatory Attendance

Attending the conference exhibition is required for the game to be awarded. At least one person from the shortlisted game must demonstrate their Serious Games at the GALA Exhibition at University of L’Aquila in L’Aquila.