european game science lab

Category: Events

  • Kick-off at Lucca Comic & Games

    Kick-off at Lucca Comic & Games

    The European Game Science Lab (EGSL) officially kicked off at the end of October. At a hybrid kick-off meeting at the renowned IMT Lucca, all project partners came together to set the course for an exciting first year. The timing could hardly have been better, as the meeting coincided with the internationally renowned Lucca Comic and Games trade fair – an ideal platform for presenting this new European initiative.

    Strategic planning for the coming year

    On 28 October 2025, the EGSL partner organisations met for a hybrid meeting at the IMT Lucca. The annual planning and specific activities were discussed and coordinated in detail in a constructive atmosphere. This careful planning forms the foundation for all future initiatives of the laboratory and emphasises the professional approach of the partners involved.

    Presence at Lucca Comic and Games

    In the days following the kick-off, the European Game Science Lab took the opportunity to introduce itself to a wider audience. At the IMT Library’s exhibition at Lucca Comic and Games, the project was able to attract numerous visitors and inspire them with its goals. The trade fair, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from the gaming, comic and pop culture scene every year, provided an excellent platform for making contacts and expanding the network.

    Specialist lectures on socially relevant gaming topics

    To accompany the exhibition, the IMT Lucca organised a high-calibre lecture programme that addressed the importance of games in our society. Two specialist lectures deserve special mention:

    Ennio Biancini and Thomas Bremer gave an exciting outlook on the development of the Ludo-narrative Framework in their lecture – a promising approach that aims to bring narrative elements and game mechanics into a coherent theoretical framework.

    In another presentation, Thomas Bremer and David Witzgall shed light on the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence brings to game development. In view of the rapid developments in the field of AI, this was a particularly topical and relevant subject that met with great interest.

    Outlook

    With this successful launch, the European Game Science Lab has laid the foundations for its future work. The combination of strategic planning, public presentation and professional exchange already demonstrates the scope and potential of this European initiative.

    Anyone interested in finding out more about the European Game Science Lab should keep an eye out for further reports and upcoming events.

  • Successful Launch of the European Game Science Lab

    On 1 October 2024, the European Game Science Lab (EGSL) Cooparative Partnership was launched at the selected partner universities in Europe. The aim of this innovative teaching network is to unite the worlds of game theory and game design in order to fundamentally strengthen and further develop education in the field of game creation. It was already clear at the kick-off workshop that the EGSL sets new standards for teaching and promotes a holistic approach that inspires students and teachers alike.

    Our vision: Developing more than just games Games are no longer just entertainment products – they reflect and actively shape social norms. The EGSL pursues ambitious goals:

    Transforming the learning process: we want to change the understanding of video game development among students and teachers in the long term.

    Social relevance: Games should promote diversity, address social issues, support inclusion and contribute to mental health. Methodological innovation: By combining game theory and game design, we develop novel concepts that meet the current challenges of a changing society. ‘Games are powerful cultural artefacts – we want to empower students to use this power consciously and responsibly.’

    Realisation: the heart of our network The operational work of the European Game Science Lab is divided into three core phases:

    Establishing a teaching network A dynamic network of lecturers and researchers is being created via partner institutions in Germany, France, Sweden and Spain. Regular online meetings, practice-orientated workshops and guest lectures by renowned experts ensure a lively exchange and a shared knowledge base.

    Development of the LUNA framework Based on the findings, the Ludo-Narrative Game Design Framework (LUNA) was created. This modular concept provides teachers and students with guidelines, tools and methods for combining narrative structures and game theory elements in analogue, digital and hybrid formats. An integrated GenAI assistance system supports idea generation, prototype development and feedback loops.