Games, Play, and Community

About this event

A playful summit at MLK Library

Are you a community builder? Are you interested in how games and playfulness can bring people together? Do you love playing games and learning about what play can do? There's a gathering of fun makers coming to MLK Jr. Memorial Library, and we want you to be there. If you are someone who is interested in how games and playfulness can help to build community. Hosted by DC Public Library, Playful City Lab at American University, Labyrinth Games, and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), the event will be a day of workshops, talks, and demonstrations designed to inspire our work and connect the DMV community through play. Register below for full schedule and details.

Friday attendees are invited to join us on Saturday the 14th for District Arcade where local independent video game developers will show off their projects. Join for one or both days and come ready to interact, have fun, and get new ideas.

Confirmed topics and speakers

Keynote talk

More Than a Game: Mahjong, Culture, and Connection with the 1882 Foundation and the Capital Jewish Museum

Afternoon talks

Talk Your Suit with Cortnie Burriss: Democratizing hot topics and conversation with Talk Your Suit.

Designed in the DMV with Deb Fuller: Building a local game design community in the DMV

Serious Games and SimEscape with Alex James: Gamifying case files for nursing students

District Hunt with Peter Williamson: Lesson from the annual District

Table Top Showcase

Explore and play a range of table top games with DC's own Labyrinth Games .

Interested in exploring more gaming and community?

Join the Washington, D.C. chapter of the International Game Developers Association and 30+ local game developers at District Arcade 2026 on Saturday, November 14 from 1 -5 p.m., also at MLK Library. Find information + register here.