Bob De Schutter

Bob De Schutter is a Professor at Northeastern University with a joint appointment in Khoury College and the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD), where he coordinates the Game Science and Design program. As founder of Lifelong Games, he pioneers gerontoludic design—a framework challenging ageism in gaming by creating meaningful, emotionally resonant experiences for older adults that prioritize playfulness over utilitarian 'brain training' applications.

De Schutter holds a PhD in Communication Science and a Master's degree in Arts. His educational journey began with childhood game development, leading to groundbreaking work that bridges academic research and practical design. His formal training informs his player-centered approach, emphasizing iterative design with diverse aging populations to create inclusive gaming experiences.

His research revolutionizes game design for aging populations through three core pillars: gerontoludic design (extending the MDA framework with age-specific aesthetics), AI-supported accessibility (adapting interfaces to physical/cognitive needs), and gaminiscing—using games to evoke personal memories and foster intergenerational connection. He challenges the gaming industry's youth-centric focus by demonstrating how games preserve cultural heritage (e.g., Brukel's WWII narratives) and support cognitive/social well-being in later life through immersive storytelling.

De Schutter's publication history reveals a consistent trajectory from foundational theory (2011-2016) to applied innovation (2015-2017), with increasing emphasis on virtual reality and procedural generation. His work consistently argues that games for older adults must prioritize emotional depth and meaningful play rather than reductionist 'cognitive training,' while addressing systemic ageism in game development pipelines and industry practices.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Gold medal at the Serious Play Awards for Brukel

De Schutter actively mentors students through Northeastern's co-op program and project-based courses, integrating real-world development into education. As coordinator of the Game Science and Design program, he shapes curriculum that blends technical skills with creative design, emphasizing portfolio development. His advocacy extends to industry leadership through the International Game Developers Association and IndieCade, where he promotes inclusive design standards.

He leads Lifelong Games, a research lab producing award-winning titles like Brukel and Cardistry. The lab collaborates with students (e.g., Brandon Lyman, Reina Chan) and faculty like Prof. Chris Barney on projects merging machine learning with storytelling to create personalized memory-driven games. Current initiatives include Restless (procedural generation for diverse narratives) and scaling Cardistry's AI-generated 'gaminiscing' cards, with plans to expand the lab's capacity for student hires and game production.