Invitation to Submit Games and Creative Work

Call for Submissions

The 2025 BIPOC Game Studies conference invites submissions for a showcase of games and related media to be displayed at the conference at the Strong National Museum of Play, in Rochester, New York. Digital and analog play are both welcome. The games will be available for play by conference attendees and the visiting public.

The conference committee invites submissions of games that intersect with the conference’s focus on gaming culture, technology, and the experiences of black, indigenous, and other people of color and communities worldwide. Games and creative interactive work are invited in the following categories:

  • Complete Independent Games, digital, analog or hybrid
  • Playable vertical slices of digital games
  • Board games, card games, role play, and other non-digital or hybrid implementations
  • Commercial, non-profit and artistic work

The Venue

Jury selected works will be displayed during the conference, September 13-14th, 2025 by their creators or their selected representative. This is an expo-styled showcase, where the general public will be encouraged to engage with your games. Work may be handled and played with – please plan accordingly. Visitors will be allowed to play the work in whatever context is appropriate. Some submitters may elect to have their work shown on a video reel displayed in parallel to the showcase. The conference venue is the Strong National Museum of Play. In Rochester New York. Participants are generally expected to arrange their own transportation and housing, as necessary to attend this in-person event.

Showcase:

Exhibitors and artists must staff a table during the showcase, demonstrating their games to the wide audience of conference attendees. This will include providing any required technology and promotional materials. The organizers will provide each showcase participant with a table and electrical power. All pre-event shipping is the responsibility of the submitter.

Board games, card games, and toys are welcome as well as digital works.

Exhibitors will also be invited to participate in an Artist/Designer panel at the conference and may be featured in a publication about the conference.

  • Deadline: January 18th, 2025 (notification by April 18th, 2025 or sooner)

A jury will select the games and play experiences that most appropriately meet the showcase theme and venue.