The first large-scaled international games conference will take place in Utrecht, The Netherlands on 4-6 November and goes under the name of LEVEL UP. Apart from the conference there will be numerous activities like an exposition in the University Museum, workshops, a Gamefest and various social events. University of Utrecht, Faculty of Arts, Department of New Media and Digital Culture organizes this inaugural world conference in digital games research.

The conference aims to promote high-quality research of games, recognition of game studies as an academic field of enquiry, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration in games research, design and development.

The enormous growth of the gaming industry (larger than Hollywood) has had its effect on the academic community. In this conference different points of view or approaches are distinguished from which computer games can be considered. These aspects will be discussed thoroughly during the conference program presentations.

Level Up Presentations
The three day conference offers a very diverse program. Leading researchers and designers from all over the world will present different points of view and approaches from which computer games research can be considered. Not only will Computer games be presented as a social and cultural phenomenon, but the design and history of computer games will also be discussed.

Level up Activities
Apart from the presentations there will be numerous activities like: a LAN party workshop (in collaboration the Hoogeschool voor Kunsten Utrecht), game demonstrations, and a visit to the Cave, the biggest virtual reality environment of The Netherlands. A big-screen game tournament will take place in cinema 't Hoogt. A market place is set up at the conference location where you can find books, gadgets, old and new games.

Level up Gamefest
The two floors of dance club Tivoli will be filled with games, music & drinks during the Level Up Gamefest. On the ground floor, you can find well known Dj's, Vj's, several experimental computer games and spectacular game installations. One level up cocktails will be served, inspired by the best computer games of the few years. The Level Up Gamefest will take place on the 5th of November, starting at 9pm at Tivoli, Utrecht.

Level Up Game Exhibition
The Level Up Game Exhibition focuses on computer games and art. It shows how artists deal with the design of virtual game environments, 'gamescape'. The exhibition can be seen all month long in the University Museum in Utrecht.

Attending the Level Up game experience costs 100 euros for students, and 340 euros for non-students. Entrance to the gamefest will cost you around 13 euros.

For more information we advice you to check out the Level Up website: www.gamesconference.org .