First Edition of The Games Forum Rome Announced

Rome, Italy, 2026 - Rome is preparing to host the first edition of The Games Forum Rome, the new international event created to foster dialogue between academia, industry, cultural institutions, international organizations, and public bodies around one of the most influential cultural and technological forces of our time: video games and interactive media.

The event will take place on November 12 and 13, 2026 at Villa Mondragone, the historic Congress and Representation Center of the University of Rome Tor Vergata. A setting of great cultural and institutional value that will host two days of discussion dedicated to the future of interactive culture and its impact on society.

In an era where video games, immersive technologies, and interactive languages are transforming how people learn, communicate, create content, and relate to the world, it becomes increasingly important to build concrete opportunities for collaboration between different disciplines and sectors. The Games Forum Rome is born precisely with this objective: to create a qualified space where research, education, culture, innovation, and professional skills can meet in a common conversation.

Organized by Structura and Women in Games, with the joint direction of Marco Accordi Rickards and Marie-Claire Isaaman, the Forum aims to foster new partnerships, promote international dialogue, and support the development of initiatives capable of generating a lasting cultural, educational, and social impact.

Unlike events focused on product launches or simple commercial exhibitions, The Games Forum Rome proposes itself as a platform for thought, discussion, and planning. Its goal is to enhance the exchange of knowledge, the creation of strategic relationships, and the analysis of the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany the growth of interactive culture globally.

The program will bring together authoritative voices from universities, industry, cultural institutions, international networks, research centers, and public bodies. At the heart of the discussion will be topics such as the future of interactive media, digital cultural heritage, education, inclusion, innovation, new skills, and international collaboration.

The Games Forum Rome is not conceived as an isolated event, but as the first step in a broader vision, designed to build stable connections between the communities that are helping to define the future of interactive culture.

Within this vision, the organizers will also launch Circulus, a permanent collaboration platform dedicated to promoting operational dialogue between academia, industry, and institutions throughout the year. Through research initiatives, professional networking, skill exchange, and shared projects, Circulus will be tasked with transforming discussion into concrete action, creating opportunities that go beyond the single annual event.

The choice of Rome represents a central element of the project. For centuries, the city has been a meeting point for knowledge, culture, and international relations. With The Games Forum Rome, this tradition is projected into the future, offering a new space to explore the challenges and opportunities of interactive culture on a global scale.

Further announcements regarding partners, speakers, and the program will be communicated in the coming months.

To follow updates, speaker announcements, and all event news, you can follow the official Instagram profile of The Games Forum Rome: @thegamesforumroma