A Method for Developing Simulations in the Classroom
Summary:
Simulations involve students in decision-making, deepening their engagement and learning. Learn a simple method for creating and planning simulation that works across classroom content areas!
Description:
There is a rapidly-expanding world of engagement strategies that get students absorbed in learning. Simulations offer the chance to put students in the decision-making seat and build empathy. This presentation offers a step-by-step process for developing these simulations as a way to present novelty in the classroom and amplify learning. Through simulations, students don’t just see the content- they live it. We will offer:
-The questions teachers should ask themselves when planning a simulation
-Key points at which to build mechanics in order to achieve the desired learning
-Important reflection resources to develop to ensure that the learning stays on track
-Examples of simulations built with this method
This session is suitable for teachers of all grade levels or industry professionals who want to improve training.
A Seat at the Table: Making TTRPGs Accessible Online
Summary:
Using case studies and practical examples, we'll share how to facilitate inclusive online spaces for players that can't easily access traditional in-person gaming.
Description:
For many players, online gaming opens doors and increases access to tabletop gaming experiences that wouldn't otherwise be an option. Whether due to neurodivergence, chronic illness, disability, or simply living in a remote geographic location, there are many reasons why players opt into online games as a first choice, rather than as a substitute for in-person play.
This panel will provide practical, actionable advice on how to create welcoming and inclusive online spaces that support players of all kinds. Drawing from our combined experiences running virtual TTRPGs in a variety of settings, we will highlight case studies where online gaming offered distinct advantages over traditional tabletops, ensuring as many people as possible are offered a seat at the table.
Accessibility is Not a Bolt-On: Universally Designed Games
Summary:
Equity aside, designing for accessibility can add 40 million US adults to your market. Through exercises, examples and game testing, learn practical Universal Design techniques for your next project.
Description:
Everyone can remember a game that would have been great if it was more playable. Colors blended, pieces were hard to place, text ran into graphics…. With simple, actionable principles you can understand this, look for common pitfalls, and address this in your work. Not only is this a good thing to do, but with more than 40 million adults in the US having some form of disability accessible design creates new potential audiences. We will discuss Universal Design methods and other techniques that lead to functional and beautiful games. Through demonstrations, discussion, and analysis of an original, intentionally poorly-designed game, you will come away with simple, actionable steps you can start using immediately in your design development.
** GAME DESIGN ACADEMY ONLY EVENT / NOT INTENDED FOR GENERAL TRADE DAY AUDIENCE **
So you've designed a game. Great! But what now? What actually goes into developing, producing, marketing, and distributing a game? In this session, we'll examine the business side of tabletop games.
Description:
So you've designed a game. Great! Job well done and all that, but the real work has only just begun. How do you get your game out there for people to buy and play? What actually goes into the process of developing, producing, marketing, and distributing a game? Should you go it alone, find a publisher, or something else? In this session, we'll examine the business side of tabletop games. As a group, we'll crowdsource some of the problems and pitfalls of making and selling games and explore various resources and solutions to those issues.
** GAME DESIGN ACADEMY ONLY EVENT / NOT INTENDED FOR GENERAL TRADE DAY AUDIENCE **
Beyond the Board: Designing Games Beyond Dice & Cardboard
Summary:
Venture beyond dice and cardboard by reimagining everyday materials—like marbles, strings, fabric, and magnets—into fresh, dynamic, and delightfully interactive gameplay experiences.
Description:
Crafting toyetic games requires thinking beyond the conventional realm of dice and cardboard found in traditional board games. Explore the potential of transforming everyday toys into engaging gameplay experiences. Experiment with unconventional elements such as marbles, strings, fabric, magnets, and other dynamic materials to create innovative and interactive designs.
Beyond the Table: How TRPGs Are Being Used to Build Real-World Teams and Leaders
Summary:
This panel of experts using TRPGs in businesses explores how and why TRPGs translate so effectively to real-world group development, and what facilitators must understand to do this work responsibly
Description:
Tabletop roleplaying games already teach collaboration, decision-making, improvisation, and shared storytelling but what happens when those strengths are intentionally applied beyond the gaming table?
In this panel, facilitators, designers, and leadership professionals who actively use TRPGs in workplaces, universities, and community organizations share how they adapt roleplaying games for leadership development and team growth. Panelists will discuss what actually works, what doesn’t, ethical and safety considerations, and how this emerging space differs from improv, gamification, or traditional team-building.
Whether you’re a GM curious about applied play, a designer thinking about impact, or a facilitator working with groups, this session offers a grounded look at TRPGs as a serious (and playful) tool for real-world development.
There are many ways you can catalog a collection of games, but depending on your needs the information you gather and how you organize it may vary. Much like the games themselves, there are rules!
Description:
There are many ways of cataloging games, but before you start recording anything, you need to determine what information is truly important. What works well for a game store may not fit a library, and a children’s library has different needs from a research collection.
In this session, we will discuss how to turn the needs of your clients into the needs of the catalog, review a couple of existing systems or meta-systems (including MARC 21 and Dublin Core for Librarians, LibraryThing for smaller libraries and enthusiasts, Boardgamegeek for most players, and simple spreadsheets), talking about what makes each better for certain uses, and giving real-world examples of how to store information in each.
You will come away with a set of cheat-sheets describing the information you might need to collect and why, and get a chance to practice creating entries for some common games.
Bringing History to Life: Teen Murder Mystery Programs Inspired by Local Stories
Summary:
Learn how to incorporate local history into exciting teen mystery lock-ins! Develop your own programs using puzzles and clues to create opportunities to explore history in a hands-on environment.
Description:
For the last few summers, teens at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library have solved murders and robberies – while learning real historical facts. Using primary resources from the Library’s Missouri Valley Room Archives, these lock-ins allowed teens to immerse themselves in local historical crimes while exploring the ambiance and language of the past.
Takeaways of this presentation will include a timeline for planning a historical teen program, examples of puzzles and mysteries, an outline for a teen mystery lock-in, as well as examples of handouts and marketing. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for creating their own historical mysteries, using the resources available in their libraries and communities.
Build the Game You Wish Existed: Designing Lessons as Games
Summary:
Design classroom-ready games on a budget, align them to standards, and get unit plans for student game design—plus a free Drive folder with all materials.
Description:
Ready to bring game design into your classroom? In this session, a 14-year educator shares how to design small, engaging games aligned to academic standards—without blowing your budget. Learn practical strategies for turning learning objectives into game mechanics, printing materials affordably, and structuring lessons where the game is the instruction. You’ll also explore complete unit plans that guide students through designing their own academic games, building critical thinking, creativity, and systems design skills. Attendees will leave with access to a Google Drive packed with templates, examples, and ready-to-use resources.
Building Your Brand: Creating Characters From Abstract to Embodied Identity
Summary:
Participants will create a complete brand from basic attributes and transform their brand into a vivid, playable personality using collaborative character-building techniques and business savvy.
Description:
Welcome to Brand Character Creation! We're starting with your current attributes and building a complete character your team can actually play. Guided by an expert, participants will work through live character development, translating abstract qualities like "innovative" or "trustworthy" into specific traits, behaviors, and signature moves. You'll watch your brand come alive as a distinct personality with clear motivations, recognizable patterns, and authentic responses to challenges. Perfect for founders, marketing teams, and business leaders who want their brand to feel less like a list of adjectives and more like someone customers would want to spend time with.
This session is hands-on and collaborative - bring your current brand materials (if you have any) and be ready to see them transform into a character that makes every business decision clearer and more authentic!