Call for Papers - Vol. 4, No. 2 [CLOSED]

2025-05-16

Games and Conflict Resolution

Guest Editor: Micael Sousa (Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation (CAPTRS); CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transports and Environment, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, Portugal)

 

Games have long served as mirrors of human interaction, reflecting cooperation, competition, and the complexities of conflict. In this sense, it is important to understand how its characteristics, mechanics, and design can open up discussions about the models of organisation in society, from the most micro to the most macro systems, by replicating tensions in a safe and controlled environment. Even from a game design perspective, defining conflict and tension can be the drive that engages players fighting each other, surpassing challenges, or collaborating against the game itself. Therefore, it is important to understand how games can support conflict resolution in contemporary societies.

For this special issue of IJGSI, we are accepting paper proposals that are related, not exclusively, with one or more of the following aspects:

  • Board and digital game design research
  • Game players, profiles, societal dimensions and demographics
  • Game markets and economics
  • The potential social impact of games
  • The role of games in community development
  • Games as a tool for social inclusion
  • Sustainable proposals for game design and modding
  • Games as a tool or strategy to promote change
  • Learning through games
  • The accessibility of games
  • Diversity and representation in the games industry and community
  • New spaces and contexts for play
  • 'Serious' applications for commercial digital and board games
  • Hybrid games or other mixed approaches

Full papers must be submitted electronically after registering on the platform, respecting the guidelines established in the Submissions section.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should adhere to the journal’s formatting and referencing guidelines. Both full research articles (6,000-8,000 words) and shorter position papers (2,000-4,000 words) are welcome. All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process to ensure scholarly rigour and originality.

 

When submitting, please indicate which call you are referring to.

 

Timeline

Expression of interest: May 31st, 2025

Full Paper Submission Deadline: July 25th, 2025

Notification of Acceptance for Full Paper Submissions: End of 2025

Publication Date: End of 2025 - Early 2026

 

Contact

For inquiries about the special issue or submission process, please contact Micael Sousa (micaelssousa@gmail.com) and Carla Sousa (carla.patricia.sousa@ulusofona.pt). 

 

This special issue results from a partnership between the magazine and the event LeiriaTalks at LeiriaCon 2025.