Ludogogy is an online magazine that looks at theory and practice in games-based learning, gamification, and gameful and playful design in general. Our writers and readers are the same people, and we welcome submissions from anyone who has an interest in the magazine’s topic area, as a creator or consumer. Ludogogy aspires to open a conversation between those who design and make playful experiences and those who utilise them to effect change, personally or in their organisations. The magazine offers inspiration, practical how-tos and exposure to new ideas, helping our readers to create and achieve value from gameful design and delivery.
Ludogogy has undergone a lot of changes recently, the most important of which is that it is no longer an issue-based publication. Instead of bi-monthly themed issues, Ludogogy will now publish on an ongoing basis – about one or two posts per week.
We’re keeping the themes though, changing them each month, and you can either submit content to the theme, if you want, or submit on any relevant games-based learning / gamification /gameful design topic you like.
These submissions guidelines are currently a work in progress – and will soon reflect the changes, and increased opportunities for contributors. But there is a lot of work to do in many areas, and very few people to do it, so this will be coming soon, but for now, here is a summary of the upcoming themes, for your guidance.
Accepted formats: Please submit articles as Word documents or similar Word readable text documents, images as .jpg. If submitting video or audio files, please contact me first to check compatibility.
Articles will be accepted ‘ready to publish’, as time does not allow for extensive editing /sourcing images and so on. In order to be considered for publication, please include a 16:9 feature image (at least 678 x 382), and at least one additional image (any size/format) for each 500 words in your article.
Submit to: Send your submissions as attachments by email to info@ludogogy.co.uk
Review time: I will review work as quickly as possible, but please be aware that this might take some time, especially around deadlines, and do not chase unless you have not been contacted after seven days.
Upcoming themes
We are now accepting submissions for the following themes. See below for details and some ideas to start you off.
May ‘Secrets’ – last submission 26 May – The murky world of secrets in games. Hidden information vs revealed information in games systems and mechanics. How can secrets inform game play through characteristics like hidden roles and secret goals. Secrets and intrigue as game themes e.g. games about espionage or strategy in wargaming. Games which are about discovering secrets – social deduction and other games with ‘clues’ etc.
June ‘Art’ – last submission 23 June – The partner theme to February’s ‘Writing’. A celebration of the artistry that goes in games, whether it’s visual arts, music or other soundscapes or any other artful contribution. Also games about Art, which use drawing or other arts as a mechanic, or which encourage creativity. The symbolism of images, as used in games, or gameful tools such as the Tarot, or audio or video to augment game experience etc.
July ‘Conflict’ – last submission 21 July – Various forms of conflict in game narrative and theme, e.g. Combat, interpersonal conflict, wargaming. Conflict and antagonism as game mechanic, including systems for implementing and resolving combat, comparative power and representations of opposing positions. Games which simulate historical conflicts, or present antagonistic scenarios. Training and learning in conflict resolution or recognition using play and games etc.
August ‘Co-operation’ – last submission 18 August – As a contrast to June’s theme. Games where players need to work together to win. Balancing co-operation and competition for engaging experiences. Mechanics which support co-operative play, (and those which don’t). Player types and their attitudes towards co-operation. Games designed to nudge learners towards collaborative behaviours. Team games. Setting goals and win-states for co-operation etc.
September ‘Sci-Fi’ – last submission 22 September – The influence of Sci-Fi on games. Games where Sci-fi is used as a theme. Learning game with a focus on STEM, using Sci-Fi or Sci-Fact. The challenges of representing scientific concepts or systems realistically in games. Sci-fi tropes and genres in games. Sci-Fi and related genres used as a stimulus for innovation and speculative play in learning. Sci-fi IP as represented in games, e.g. Star Wars, Doctor Who etc.