Call for Papers - IJFMA Vol. 11 No. 2 (2026)

Digital games have expanded beyond entertainment, becoming a central tool in fields such as education, health, civic engagement, and well-being. However, the aesthetic dimension — which encompasses sound, image, narrative, rhythm, and modes of interaction — often remains undervalued in the design of purposeful games.

This special issue invites artists, designers, and researchers to explore aesthetic strategies as fundamental design variables in serious games, immersive experiences, and adaptive systems. We seek contributions that demonstrate how aesthetics can influence attention, emotion, behaviour, and learning.

Submission Deadline

2 February 2026

Submissions

Submission Portal

Topics may include (but are not limited to):

• Playful aesthetics applied to behaviour change, therapy, or training
• Knowledge retention and engagement through aesthetic form
• Adaptive systems with real-time aesthetic modulation
• Sensory design in XR, wearables, or immersive environments
• Ethical and cultural dimensions of persuasive aesthetics

Expected Publication

October 2026

Guest Editors

Micaela Fonseca & Phil Lopes (Universidade Lusófona)