Date of conference: 28-29 August, 2026

Deadline for Abstract Submission: 5 July 2026

Online, international, interdisciplinary conference titled:

A Letter to Video Games:The Mechanisms of Emotions

Since the advent of the first video games, whether on early proto-computers or on what is now referred to as ‘retro consoles,’ there has been much discussion and speculation on this form of entertainment. It has been critiqued as well as praised, being viewed with glee or wariness; it evolved, changed with the rapid shifts of the fast-paced technological era, adapted to suit the players/consumers as well as to cater to the market. Yet, one thing remains clear: video games are here to stay as a form of media, one that amalgamates narration, cinema, music, art and so much more, placing at its core the interactive component of the user. It is precisely this interactivity, and more specifically, through the key theme of emotions that this conference aims to explore.

Indeed, video games constitute a unique form of storytelling and artistic expression that have the power to evoke a wide range of emotions. From exhilarating joy and happiness to profound sadness and sorrow, bone-chilling terror or a sense of nostalgic longing, spurs of adrenaline or moments of rage, games can stir the heart and mind in ways that are both deliberate and subconscious. As the medium continues to evolve, understanding how and why games evoke these emotional responses becomes increasingly important—both for creators aiming to craft more meaningful experiences as well as for the players seeking them out.

The macro-theme of emotions as such is to be interpreted in two interrelated spheres:

• The receptiveness of players/consumers to various emotional stimuli- an inherently subjective area that invites personal reflection and academic inquiry.

• The mechanisms within video games that create and regulate emotional responses- from a more analytical, often technical viewpoint to understand the complex systems that make people feel emotions and how these are used in video games.

As such, we invite researchers, scholars, artists, developers, doctoral students and practitioners from a variety of academic disciplines, creative fields and walks of life to submit. We also welcome interdisciplinary approaches as well as encourage different forms of presentations, such as case studies, theoretical analyses, posters, comparative studies, and practice-based research. Additionally, participation as an attendee-only is welcomed.

The conference will be held virtually via Zoom.

We henceforth invite you to submit abstracts on related thematic concerns, including but not limited to:

- Emotional Engagement, Empathy, and Embodiment

- Subjectivity and Representation of Emotions

- Failure and Perseverance as Part of the Gaming Experience (e.g. roguelikes)

- Illusion of Choice and Player Agency

- Emotional Sense of Belonging: Accessibility and Inclusivity

- Emotional and Time Investment

- Trauma, Memory and Emotional Resonance

- Parasocial Relationships with Characters or Communities

- Emotional Effect of Silent Protagonists and Non-Verbal Storytelling

- Sound Design: Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Elements

- Emotional Responsiveness in Subversive, Ideological and Political Narratives

- Emotional Impact of Nostalgia

- Postcolonial Subjectivity and Critical Theory Perspectives

- Moral Engagement and Ethical Concerns

- Enhancing Emotions via Immersive Technologies and Virtual Reality

- Mental Health, Emotional Healing and Therapeutic Games

And remember, for any additional questions you might have, don’t hesitate to contact us at the provided e-mail provided, adding the code up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A to make sure that your e-mail reaches us post-haste.

P.S.: As a side note, given the title of the conference, we are also considering a project that features creative writing. Any participant who chooses to adhere to said initiative will be asked to write a ‘letter to videogames,’ no more than a page in length, where they can freely interpret the theme and write something unrestricted by academic rigidity. As such, the compiled document will be shared with all other participants, for internal circulation; we are also weighing the possibility of finding an online outlet to give this micro-anthology a broader circulation. Further details will be provided via the Google form upon acceptance.

Organizing Committee:

- Konstantina Kliagkona (Independent Researcher, EFL & Criminology Teacher, Offender Profiler)

- Bogdan Groza (Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Independent Researcher)

- Mohammadreza Golshani (EFL Teacher, British Studies, University of Debrecen, Hungary)

- Chrysoula Skandali (Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies, University of Macedonia, Greece)

- Hercules Leontaridis (Economic Analyst, Pixel Art Illustrator)

Submission Details:

Please submit abstracts (up to 350 words) of your proposed 20-minute presentation along with a brief biographical note by 5 July 2026 to both kliagkona@hotmail.com and skandali.chrysoula@gmail.com

Acceptance notifications will be sent by 17 July 2026.

Conference Languages: English.

NOTE: The organizers will take into account the different time zones to help accommodate all speakers, since the conference will be international.

Registration Details:

To take part in the conference as a presenter you need to pay a REGISTRATION FEE either via PayPal (please ask for a link) or via bank transfer:

• PRESENTERS: EUR 25 or USD 30 or GBP 25 - by 16 August 2026
• A special discount is provided to students who wish to present at the conference at EUR 20 or USD 25 or GBP 20.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Participation will be FREE OF CHARGE to anyone who may be interested. Still, you are kindly requested to send an email to the organizers to let them know of your attendance so as to provide you with the ZOOM link a few days prior to the conference.

The registration grants:

• LIVE access to all conference sessions via individual link sent prior to the conference date (without the need to install any additional applications)
• Compatibility with any device (e.g. computer, tablet and phone) with the flexibility to join or leave the sessions at any time
• The conference programme in a PDF format
• A receipt and a certificate of attendance for Presenters sent by email
• Networking opportunities

Banking Details (2 options are available):

• 1st Option:

Beneficiary name: KLIAGKONA KONSTANTINA DIMITRIOS

Beneficiary Bank name: EUROBANK ERGASIAS

SWIFT/BIC: ERBKGRAA

Beneficiary Bank account number (IBAN): GR40 0260 1250 0008 4020 1361 923

• 2nd Option:

Beneficiary name: KLIAGKONA KONSTANTINA DIMITRIOS

Beneficiary Bank name: PIRAEUS

SWIFT/BIC: PIRBGRAA

Beneficiary Bank account number (IBAN): GR29 0172 2640 0052 6411 0155 048

Please quote your first and last name, as well as a note "conference on games" in the description field.

All banking charges are to be covered by the Sender. 

We are looking forward to your participation!

Business Details:

COMPANY NAME: Kliagkona Konstantina Dimitrios (Independent Researcher, Freelancer EFL, Criminology Teacher, & Offender Profiler)

BA English Language and Literature, MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology, Diploma in Forensic Psychology and Criminology

ORCID: 0009-0004-6529-4983

SERVICES: Foreign Language Education via Computer and Vocational Training (Business Activity Code Numbers: 85591101 and 85591300)

HEADQUARTERS: Municipality of Pavlos Melas, Thessaloniki, Greece

ZIPCODE: 56431

VAT No.: 157782911

TAX: Ampelokipoi

Company Website: Under construction (www.knflames.gr)