Positive Gaming: Workshop on Gamification and Games for Wellbeing

The workshop on Positive Gaming addresses the intersection of gamification, game design, and positive psychology, specifically focusing on how digital games can foster human flourishing and wellbeing. While existing research frequently explores games in the context of physical health, fitness, and nutrition, this initiative seeks to shift the focus toward the pursuit of a happy and meaningful life. The primary objective is to establish a research community dedicated to Positive Computing, creating a roadmap for theoretical frameworks, design methodologies, and practical applications that promote positive psychological outcomes.

The scope of the workshop encompasses the design, implementation, and evaluation of both serious and recreational games. Key areas of inquiry include the personalization of gameful applications, the integration of positive psychology interventions—such as gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness—into game mechanics, and the involvement of end users and wellbeing experts in the development process. By facilitating a collaborative environment, the workshop aims to move beyond the mere absence of illness and toward the active cultivation of positive mental states.

Methodologically, the workshop utilizes a structured, participatory approach to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The format includes a panel discussion to align on core principles, followed by a technical session where researchers present peer-reviewed work. A significant portion of the event is dedicated to team-based prototyping, where participants develop and playtest low-fidelity solutions for specific positive computing challenges. This collaborative structure is designed to generate actionable research projects and foster long-term partnerships among experts in human-computer interaction, psychology, and game design.