Tips to Make Your G4C2026 Submission Stand Out:

Explore How We Can Reimagine Play:

• Consider how your work demonstrates that play extends beyond games. How does play function as a tool for learning, collaboration, experimentation, or creative problem-solving?
• Strong submissions explore play as infrastructure: the foundation for how we iterate on ideas, understand different perspectives, and prototype solutions to complex challenges.

Address Current Challenges:

• The strongest proposals tackle pressing issues in the field. What problem are you solving? What gap are you filling? What question are you trying to answer?
• Consider timely topics like accessibility in design, addressing toxicity in online communities, games for mental health, or using play to build civic engagement. We're particularly interested in work that responds to emerging challenges, not just retrospectives on past projects.

Inspire and Empower:

• We encourage proposals that inspire and empower educators, developers, and creators to explore new strategies and possibilities in the world of social impact gaming.
• Craft a compelling pathway to contribute to a better world through games and technology. Illustrate how your proposal actively engages in advisory, convening, and partnership roles that foster global collaboration for lasting, positive change.
• Focus on Ideas, Not Products. We're interested in approaches, methodologies, insights, and lessons learned, not product demos, brand promotion, or sales pitches.

Show Measurable Impact:

• Move beyond entertainment to demonstrate concrete outcomes. What happened as a result of your work? Who benefited? What changed?
• Include specific examples with data when possible. How many people did you reach? What behaviors changed? What feedback did you receive? Back up your claims with evidence.
• If you're still gathering data, share preliminary findings or early indicators of success. We value honest reflection on what's working and what you're still figuring out.

Think Globally:

• Share the importance of equitable access and application of games to meet the needs of all learners, and emphasize how  games and immersive media can be just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. 
• Craft a strategic vision for engaging with diverse global communities while involving international chapters, speakers, or attendees. Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to making the festival a hub of inclusivity and global relevance.

Push Boundaries & Experiment:

• New this year, we're accepting proposals for experimental session formats. If your idea doesn't fit the traditional Talk, Panel, or Workshop structure, tell us what format would work best and why.
• Consider submitting to Playtest Lab if you have an early-stage impact project focused on that would benefit from community feedback. These sessions are designed for works-in-progress that spark conversation and generate actionable input.