[game_edu] Meaningful Play 2012 Early Registration Ends Friday, Sept. 14

[Brian Winn]

Meaningful Play 2012 is an interdisciplinary academic conference that explores the potential of games to entertain, inform, educate, and persuade in meaningful ways.

The conference takes place October 18 - October 20 in East Lansing, Michigan USA and is hosted by Michigan State University.

The conference is for game designers, researchers, and students. The two primary themes of the conference are "exploring meaningful applications of games" and "issues in designing meaningful play". The first theme includes an examination of games (of all types) from primarily an academic research perspective. The second theme focuses on much more practical knowledge from the front-line of actual design, development, and use of games for meaningful purposes.

The conference includes thought-provoking keynotes from leaders in academia and industry, peer-reviewed paper presentations, panel sessions (including academic and industry discussions), roundtable discussions, an exciting poster session, and an exhibition of games.

The final keynote line-up for Meaningful Play 2012 includes: 
* Donald Brinkman, Manager of Digital Humanities, Digital Heritage, and Games for Learning, Microsoft Research
* Phaedra Boinodiris, Serious Games Program Manager, IBM
* Kurt Squire, Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison
* Michael John, General Manager, Glass Lab / Electronic Arts
* Ann DeMarle, Associate Professor, Champlain College
* John Ferrara, Creative Director, Megazoid Games

The early registration for the conference ends September 14, 2012.

More details are available at:
http://meaningfulplay.msu.edu