IMT Lucca and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia gave to life the first Italian Game Science Research Center

GAME SCIENCE is an emerging and still partially undefined area of scientific research, characterized by a strong multidisciplinary focus spanning many different disciplines (human, social, life, and natural sciences).

Game Science investigates various phenomena related to the notion of “game”, intended both as a model of strategic behavior (i.e., interactive decision-making) and as a system of rules and mechanics for ludic activities (i.e., gaming and play). Game Science encompasses the field of Game Studies as well as Game Theory and related quantitative areas of research.

As a model of strategic behavior, a “game” offers a general and flexible way of describing and explaining phenomena of interactive decision-making, fostering our understanding of their dynamics and helping to predict their outcomes.

On the other hand, a “game”, as a playing activity organized around well defined rules, embodies an important part of socially organized activities and can represent a valid tool for increasing motivation, prevention and healthcare support, scientific data gathering, scientific divulgation, cultural and social change, and even artistic exploration.

Some months ago IMT Lucca and University of Study of Modena and Reggio Emilia brings to life the first Game Science Research Center in Italy (GameSci ReCenter) to promote research projects related to games both in Italy and internationally hoping to rise a researchers network that can improve the knowledge about boardgames and other games.

One of the first projects promoted by the GameSci ReCenter wsa the first GAME Science Winter School (GamesWis), a residential workshop dedicated to game science (game design, game studies, game theory) within the frame of Lucca Comics & Games with the collaboration of CMON (Eric M. Lang and Andrea Chiarvesio were two of the teachers).

For more details about the GameSci ReCenter visit gamescience.imtlucca.it web site.