The University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies' Open Studio, Nakayama Future Factory, will be holding an ideathon (※1) called "Future of Play Factory" to consider what play is and create games of the future at the University of Tokyo's Interdisciplinary Information Studies Open Studio (on the University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus) from February 2025 to March 2, 17.
According to the University of Tokyo's Interdisciplinary Information Studies Department, the Future of Play Factory has been held annually since 2019, making this the seventh time. So far, more than 7 participants have come up with a variety of play ideas.
Participants must be current university students as of March 2025, regardless of university. During the event period, participants will be split into groups for three hours starting from 3pm on weekdays to think about future games, polish the results, and compile them into a promotional video for review. Each group will receive advice from an advisor and development costs up to a maximum of 2 yen. Applications are being accepted by the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, with the deadline being January 3th, 2.
Nakayama Future Factory was opened in 2017 with a donation from Hayao Nakayama and the Hayao Nakayama Foundation for Science, Technology and Culture. Modeled after a base or studio within the University of Tokyo, it is used as a venue for workshops and exhibitions, and as a place for research activities open to the public.
*1 Ideathon: A portmanteau of the words "idea" and "marathon." In this event, groups come up with ideas within a set time frame, refine them, and compete for the results.
