FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Paul Darvasi, PhD. paul@seriousplayconf.com, 416-564-7720
Serious Play Conference Brings Nation’s Leading Games and Learning Event to Rochester, N.Y.
Serious Play Conference, North America’s largest dedicated games and learning conference, will take place in Rochester, NY August 13-15. Hosted at St. John Fisher University, the conference is expected to attract over 500 attendees and feature more than 120 speakers across 80+ sessions, covering topics from game development and education to healthcare and heritage.
Serious Play 2025 explores how the power of play, games and gamification are transforming education, training, and knowledge mobilization. Attendees will engage with hands-on workshops, cutting-edge research, immersive XR experiences, and networking opportunities.
This conference is unique in that attendees will represent a range of professions, including K-12, higher education, government, corporate, military, museums, libraries, NGOs, not-for-profits, instructional designers, and game developers, all of whom share a passion for making the world a better place with play, games and simulations. The conference also runs an annual prestigious awards program for both professional and student games.
“We chose Rochester for the Serious Play Conference because of its rich connection to games and play. The city is home to the renowned Strong National Museum of Play, which celebrates the history and future of play and games,” said Paul Darvasi, PhD, Executive Director of Serious Play Conference. “In addition, Rochester is a hub for innovation with institutions like the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), known for its cutting-edge work in game design and technology. The city's ecosystem of studios and ventures related to games, make it an ideal location to bring together experts and pioneers in the field.”
New for 2025: A dedicated Esports Summit will be held post-conference on Saturday, August 16, at RIT’s MAGIC Center. This first-of-its-kind gathering in New York State will convene educators, coaches, developers, and industry professionals to explore the evolving role of esports in education, accessibility, and community development. With panels, presentations, and networking opportunities, the summit will spotlight best practices, accessibility in competitive gaming, scholastic esports programs, and innovations that connect play with purpose in this fast-growing field.
For more information, visit www.seriousplayconf.com.
ABOUT SERIOUS PLAY CONFERENCE
Celebrating its 18th year, the Serious Play Conference 2025 is North America’s largest dedicated games and learning conference. Under a new leadership team, the event is a must-attend for anyone interested in the transformative power of games and play. With over 80 sessions and 120+ speakers, the conference covers everything from game development to education, and from healthcare to heritage. Whether you’re looking to level-up your professional skills, connect with experts, or just have fun, there’s something for everyone. Experience hands-on workshops, panels, talks, networking opportunities, and the chance to play innovative games including XR, VR, and AR.