Louis-Martin Guay

Louis-Martin Guay is an Associate Professor at the School of Design within the Faculty of Planning at Université de Montréal. He has been teaching game design at the university since 2007, following 8 years of professional experience at Ubisoft. His office is located in room 1037 of the Faculty of Planning building, and he can be reached at 514 343-6111 ext. 2803.

Guay's research interests focus on applied game design, game design methodology, games and education, the history and culture of video games, scenic interactions, second-person game design, spontaneous theater, and improvisation. His work spans across multiple disciplines including Game Design, Video Game Studies, Creativity, and Media Arts. He has developed expertise in both theoretical and practical aspects of game design, with particular attention to how games can be used for education and social purposes.

His recent publications show a consistent focus on innovative applications of game design principles across various contexts. His work examines how games can facilitate language learning for preschoolers, develop empathy through game mechanics, and create socially responsible entertainment. He also explores the transformation of traditional tabletop role-playing games into virtual environments and the philosophical foundations of player experience.

Guay has supervised numerous graduate students working on diverse aspects of game design, from casual games to persuasive role-playing mechanics. His research has been supported by funding from FRQSC, including the project 'T'es-tu GAME?' (2021-2024) which developed a video game to optimize social skills in youth, and 'MR ROBOTO' (2013-2017), a project on interactive ludic fiction.

As an educator, Guay teaches courses including Introduction to Video Game Design, Fundamental Concepts of Games, Games, Experiences and Interactions, Games and Learning Design, Ludic Objects, and Final Year Projects. He is involved with multiple academic programs including Industrial Design, Video Game Major, and various Master's programs in Planning, Cinema, and Media Arts.