News

The European Humanities University (EHU)’s Department of Humanities and Arts, in proud partnership with the Lithuanian Game Developers Association, is pleased to announce the second annual “Rethinking Game Dev 2025: Ideas – Perspectives – Futures.” This international scientific and practical conference will convene in Vilnius from December 8th to 10th, 2025, serving as a critical platform to explore video games as a profound cultural, technological, and social phenomenon.

Rethinking Game Dev 2025 is dedicated to building a robust bridge between the academic community and the vibrant gaming industry. It offers a unique space for joint analysis of contemporary forces shaping game design, advancing game education, and exploring cutting-edge digital humanities practices. The conference views games as intricate ecosystems where technology, culture, historical memory, and artistic expression converge. Attendees will engage with cutting-edge research approaches to the interactive medium, explore the indispensable role of game studies within the broader industry ecosystem, and contribute to developing sustainable educational models for the next generation of creators.

A Distinguished Gathering of Global Visionaries

This year’s program features an exceptional lineup of international speakers and jury members, joining us live in Vilnius, including:

• The creator of The Witcher, Painkiller, Chernobylite –  offering unparalleled industry perspective.
• The CEO of Global Game Jam, sharing insights on global collaboration and innovation.
• Renowned game scholars, accomplished artists, and award-winning game designers, providing both theoretical depth and practical expertise.

Rethinking Game Dev 2025 is more than a conference; it’s an opportunity indie developers and academics of Baltics, a vital forum where some of the sharpest minds in game studies meet the pioneers of industry,” states Dr. Yaraslau Kot, program director and a key organizer. “We are committed to building bridges between theory and practice of Baltics, fostering innovation, and collectively envisioning the future of games through a lens of critical engagement and creative exploration.”

Two Days of In-Depth Exploration and Engagement:

• December 8: Academic Program
  Deep dives into “Game Studies as Part of the Industry Ecosystem,” exploring research’s impact on production and innovation. Sessions also cover “Game Education & Pedagogy,” focusing on building sustainable models, and “Historical Games & Heritage in Play,” examining authenticity and interactive narrative strategies.
• December 9: Developer Program & Christmas Indie Fair
  Practical talks from active developers and industry leaders will cover game art, design pipelines, and production insights, connecting academic understanding with studio realities.

Concurrently, the Christmas Indie Fair and BelGameDev Indie Fair Award invite independent developers to showcase their games or ideas for free, receive invaluable feedback, and gain expert advice from our international jury. Numerous awards and memorabilia await the winners.

• December 10: Hands-On Workshop (Pixel Art Focus)
  The final day features a dedicated, engaging workshop centered on the intricacies of pixel art creation. Specifics on participation and workshop details will be communicated separately, especially for students.

Participation and Registration:

Rethinking Game Dev 2025 is free to attend, with registration mandatory for all participants to ensure a tailored and impactful experience. This fully offline event offers an unparalleled opportunity for in-person networking with a diverse community of developers, scholars, and producers.

Registration Links:

• For Rethinking Game Dev 2025 speakers and participants
• For Christmas Indie Fair Showcase participants

The full program, detailed schedule, and comprehensive speaker list will be published shortly.

We extend a warm invitation to join us in Vilnius this December for an inspiring week of intellectual exchange, creative collaboration, and the festive Christmas Indie Fair. This is an essential gathering for anyone deeply invested in the intricate present and expansive future of games.

Organizers and partners: EHU Department of Humanities and Arts, Lithuanian Game Developers Association, BelGameDev, Magnus Ducatus Foundation

Media Contact: Yaraslau Kot yaraslau.kot@ehu.lt