Year of Games, 2025-2026

While the University of Chicago is colloquially known as the place where fun comes to die, it really is the place where fun comes to play!

Today, gaming is a dominant form of play in contemporary life and surpasses the film industry in terms of engagement, revenue, and, potentially, cultural impact. Leading the pack, University of Chicago faculty and students routinely push boundaries in the fields of gaming and are pioneers defining game design theory, leaders in the critical study of gaming on culture, and UChicago alumni have created wildly successful games such as Cards Against Humanity and Halo.

To recognize the importance of gaming activities across campus, the University of Chicago is organizing a Year of Games. From September 2025 through June 2026, the Year of Games will highlight gaming in all forms across campus. From video games to board games, to RPG and beyond, campus gaming will be at the forefront. During the year, there will be a full calendar of gaming activities along with scholarly symposia, podcasts, exhibits, films, and fun play dates, game jams, and industry-led gaming career fairs.

Are you running a gaming event that you would like to register for inclusion on the Year of Games event calendar? Tell us about the event through the link to the Google form below. The Year of Games Steering Committee will be in touch with you shortly about your submission.

Please submit event suggestions on this Google form.

Questions? Contact the Year of Games Steering Committee at: yearofgames@lib.uchicago.edu