This is an online event
The year 2026 marks a remarkable moment in videogame history. Four of the most influential and beloved game franchises ever created reach major anniversaries: 40 years of The Legend of Zelda, 40 years of Dragon Quest, 35 years of Sonic the Hedgehog, and 30 years of Pokémon.
Together, these series have shaped generations of players, inspired countless creators, and influenced game design, storytelling, technology, education, culture, music, art, and academic research around the world.
To celebrate these milestones, Questing Through Worlds 2026 invites researchers, students, educators, developers, artists, independent scholars, and enthusiasts to participate in an interdisciplinary academic workshop dedicated to exploring these iconic game universes and their broader significance.
The workshop is designed as a welcoming and enjoyable scholarly gathering. While submissions will undergo peer review and accepted papers will be formally published, the primary goals are to celebrate academic curiosity, encourage interdisciplinary dialogue, foster community building, and share research inspired by these extraordinary games.
The event will be held entirely online, and participation will be free of charge.
Accepted papers will be published in a digital volume with ISBN.
Submission Guidelines
Authors are invited to submit papers in English related to The Legend of Zelda, Dragon Quest, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pokémon, or broader interdisciplinary topics connected to these franchises.
Language and Length
Papers must be written in English and must contain between 500 and 2,500 words.
Types of Submissions
Submissions may include:
- Original research
- Position papers
- Theoretical reflections
- Exploratory studies
- Educational experiences
- Design analyses
- Methodological contributions
- Interdisciplinary investigations
Who Can Submit
Submissions are welcome from undergraduate students, graduate students, independent researchers, faculty members, and industry professionals.
Both single-author and multi-author papers are accepted.
Scope
Submissions from all disciplines and methodological traditions are welcome. Interdisciplinary submissions are especially encouraged.
Relevant fields include, but are not limited to:
Game Studies, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Complexity Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Education, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Philosophy, Ethics, Theology and Religious Studies, Literature, Narrative Studies, Linguistics, Musicology, Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Economics, History, Design, and Communication Studies.
Review Process
The workshop will use an open peer-review process. The identities of both authors and reviewers will be known during the review process.
The review process will emphasize:
- Relevance to the workshop theme
- Clarity of presentation
- Intellectual contribution
- Originality
- Potential to stimulate discussion
The workshop aims to be inclusive and community-oriented rather than highly competitive.
Presentation Formats
Featured Lightning Talks
A selection of outstanding papers will be invited to give five-minute online presentations, followed by discussion sessions.
Digital Poster Session
All other accepted papers will be presented as digital posters. Poster presenters will have opportunities for interaction and discussion with participants throughout the event.
Publication
Accepted papers will be published in a digital volume with ISBN.
Important Dates
Submission Deadline: September 27, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: November 2, 2026
Camera-Ready Submission: November 16, 2026
Workshop Date: November 30, 2026
