GAMEPATHY is an interdisciplinary conference series dedicated to exploring the role of empathy within the context of game design, game culture, and interactive media. It responds to a notable research gap: while games have been extensively analyzed for their mechanics, narratives, and systems, the emotional and social dimensions, particularly the capacity of games to foster empathy, remain underrepresented in academic discourse. GAMEPATHY brings this perspective to the forefront, aiming to foster new theoretical and practical approaches across game studies, cultural studies, design research, and related fields.

Event Overview

• Gamepathy 2023 – Symposium on Empathy and Game Design
  Regensburg, Germany | October 7, 2023
  https://2023.gamepathy.de/
• Gamepathy 2024 – Symposium on Empathy and Game Design
  Regensburg, Germany | April 20, 2024
  https://2024.gamepathy.de/

Both events were organized and hosted by professors from the Game Design Department at IU International University, with the support of international researchers, industry practitioners, and cultural institutions.

Program Structure

Each GAMEPATHY symposium combines academic rigor with creative practice:

• Keynotes and Research Panels featuring leading scholars, game designers, and narrative experts
• 48-hour Game Jam focused on developing empathy-centered game prototypes
• Conference Proceedings: A peer-reviewed conference volume:
  Inderst, R. T., Burbach, J., Plank, M., Schüler, B., Trautzsch, N., & Zimprich, T. (2025). GAMEPATHY #1: Fachtagung für Gamedesign &
  Digitalspielforschung 2023. IU Internationale Hochschule. https://doi.org/10.56250/4052
• Gamepathy Podcast: Launched in 2024 to expand discourse through interviews and ongoing reflections: https://www.youtube.com/@Gamepathy

Additionally, the events are made widely accessible via a public livestream hosted by twitch.tv/gamesbavaria, reaching a broad international audience.

Impact and Reach

• Unique Visitors to Gamepathy Website (Nov 2023 – Feb 2025): 6,925
• Participation Figures:
  • 2023: Approx. 150 online participants
  • 2024: Over 200 participants (including 40 onsite in Regensburg)
• Audience Profile: Researchers, game developers, students, cultural professionals, and media scholars from the DACH region and beyond

Mission and Future Directions

GAMEPATHY’s mission is to systematically explore the potential of games to cultivate emotional engagement, critical empathy, and social awareness. By bridging academic inquiry and game-making practice, the symposium contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural, political, and aesthetic dimensions of games. With each iteration, GAMEPATHY strengthens its role as an innovative platform for research, creativity, and public discourse around the transformative power of play.

For more information, visit:
www.gamepathy.de

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