Meaningful Play 2008 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 9 - October 11 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 2008 includes:
* Richard Hilleman, Chief Creative Office, Electronic Arts
* Ian Bogost, Associate Professor at the Georgia Tech and Founding Partner at
Persuasive Games LLC
* Leigh Anne Cappello, Vice President and Play Futurist with the Future Now
division of
Hasbro
* Ute Ritterfeld, Professor for Media Psychology at VU University Amsterdam and
co-
founded the Center for Advanced Media Research Amsterdam (CAMeRA@VU)
* Nick Fortugno, co-founder and President of Rebel Monkey
* Tracy Fullerton, Associate Professor in the Interactive Media Division of the
USC
School of Cinematic Arts and Director of the Electronic Arts Game Innovation Lab

The early registration for the conference ends September 8, 2008.

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