From April 4th to 6th, the GES4SEAS project took centre stage at PLAY – The Games Festival, Italy’s largest event dedicated to games, held annually in Bologna. Our partner ISPRA was present and it was a unique opportunity to connect with families, students, and the general public in a vibrant and engaging setting.

Over two days, the Ocean Cube—an interactive game developed within GES4SEAS—invited visitors to explore how different human pressures affect marine ecosystems. Through play, participants learned how pollution, overfishing, and other stressors interact and why understanding these cumulative impacts is essential for better decision-making and ocean protection.

The response from school groups and families was enthusiastic, with many showing strong curiosity about the marine environment and the science behind it. The activity highlighted how games can be a powerful tool to communicate complex scientific topics in a simple, accessible, and enjoyable way.

This outreach initiative is part of GES4SEAS’ ongoing commitment to raise awareness and promote ocean literacy across all age groups. Events like PLAY are a reminder that science communication can—and should—be fun.