15 Game Ideas for EAIE Conference

In Sweden, where balance and harmony—lagom—are deeply valued, exhibitions are not just about information; they’re about experience. Adding interactive games to your booth is a modern way to increase footfall, spark curiosity, and leave a lasting impression.

In this article, we’ll introduce 15 exhibition game ideas across four engaging categories for EAIE Conference. Whether your goal is brand awareness or meaningful interaction, these ideas are designed to resonate with Swedish audiences who appreciate thoughtful, playful encounters. Our team is here to support your implementation.

1. Physical Games

When people visit an exhibition, they often appreciate light physical activity—something fun, energizing, and not too complicated. In a society that values simplicity and movement, physical games can be a perfect way to break the ice and attract attention. These games don’t require deep thinking, but they do get people involved—ideal for creating a vibrant booth. For example, take a look at this activation we ran:

1. Edu-Climbing Challenge

Picture a sleek, modular climbing wall shaped like a globe, with handholds representing different countries. Players race to “connect” continents by clipping color-coded ropes between holds within 60 seconds. It’s a sweaty, heart-pumping metaphor for global collaboration in education—no DIY here, just a sturdy, sellable structure!

2. Knowledge Relay Tower

A tall, futuristic tower with slots at varying heights stands in your booth. Players toss weighted “knowledge blocks” (branded with educational themes) into the correct slots based on clues shouted by a host. The precision and physicality make it a crowd-pleaser, and the custom engineering keeps it exclusive.

3. Global Balance Beam

A narrow, curved beam mimics a world map, with players carrying a stack of “resource discs” from one end to the other without dropping them. The wobble and weight demand focus and agility—perfect for a compact yet thrilling booth setup that attendees can’t craft themselves.

2. Knowledge-Based Digital Games

These games work well when placed on a digital stand in your booth and can also be extended to your website, social media, or internal communications. In Sweden, digital interaction is expected to be seamless, accessible, and informative. Knowledge-based games are great for educating visitors in a fun way—and they’re easy to adapt for two-player competition. Here’s a sample from one of our past projects:

4. Bridge the Gap

• Story: Two animated students—one from Sweden, one from abroad—stand on opposite sides of a digital river, chatting about building a bridge of knowledge to connect their universities. Suddenly, text bubbles (some true, some false) start falling from the sky, threatening to clog the river.
• Gameplay: Players tap to “reinforce” (shoot) false statements—like “All international degrees are interchangeable” (wrong)—while letting true ones—like “Cultural exchange boosts learning”—pass to the riverbed below. If a false bubble crosses or a true one is hit, the bridge weakens.
• End Line: A glowing bridge forms as correct items pile up, symbolizing successful collaboration. If the bridge collapses, it’s game over!
• Shooting Action: Tapping launches a burst of light, representing “clarity” zapping misinformation.
• Placeholder: Text appears in floating books, tying into education and knowledge-sharing.
• Why It Fits: This game mirrors the EAIE’s mission of fostering global academic ties, with a Swedish touch of clean design and teamwork.

3. Skill-Based Digital Games

If your goal is to boost engagement while maintaining a challenge, this format is ideal. Visitors try to beat a high score, track their own progress, and climb the leaderboard. This game style aligns well with the Swedish love of fair competition and personal improvement. A transparent leaderboard motivates people to participate again and again. Check out this example:

5.Tetris (Original Name: Tetris)

• Stats: Over 500 million downloads across platforms, with enduring popularity since 1984.
• Gameplay: Players rotate and stack falling blocks to clear lines, requiring spatial reasoning and quick reflexes in under 2 minutes per round.
• Why It Fits: Its puzzle-solving nature reflects the problem-solving skills needed in international education, and its global appeal suits the EAIE’s diverse audience.

6.Words With Friends

• Stats: Peaked at 13 million monthly active users, generating millions in revenue.
• Gameplay: Players form words on a digital board, testing vocabulary and strategy in bite-sized turns.
• Why It Fits: Language skills are key to internationalisation, and its social aspect echoes Swedish community values—perfect for networking at the fair.

7.2048

• Stats: Over 100 million downloads since 2014, a minimalist hit.
• Gameplay: Slide numbered tiles to combine them into higher values, aiming for 2048 in under 2 minutes.
• Why It Fits: Its strategic simplicity mirrors resource management in education, and its clean design vibes with Swedish aesthetics.

8. Campus Connect

Players flick virtual “student cards” across a map to match universities with their international partners (e.g., Lund University to Kyoto University). The 90-second challenge tests reflexes and geographic awareness, reflecting the EAIE’s networking focus with a playful Swedish twist.

9. Degree Dash

A side-scrolling runner where players leap over obstacles (visa delays, language barriers) to deliver a diploma across borders. With vibrant Nordic visuals, this 2-minute game symbolizes overcoming challenges in global education.

10. Resource Stack

Players stack falling “resource blocks” (books, laptops, visas) into a stable tower within 2 minutes. Each block wobbles, testing precision—a nod to balancing educational resources, styled with Sweden’s minimalist flair.

11. Culture Clash

Tap to sort cultural icons (Swedish meatballs, Japanese sushi) into their home countries on a fast-moving conveyor belt. This 90-second reflex game celebrates diversity, aligning with the EAIE’s international ethos.

12. Link the Lecturers

Drag lines between lecturer avatars to pair them with their research topics (e.g., sustainability, AI) before time runs out. This 2-minute puzzle highlights expertise-sharing, with a cozy Swedish academic vibe.

3. Chance-Based Digital Games

This format works best when your brand is already well-known, and you want to create excitement. If your product or service is unfamiliar, we don’t recommend starting with this type. Swedes often value fairness and transparency, so be sure your chance-based games feel lighthearted and fun—never gimmicky. Here’s how we’ve used it in the past:

13. Customized Wheel of Fortune: The Global Spin

• Design: A sleek, globe-shaped wheel with continents as segments, spinning with a satisfying click. Prizes like “Free Workshop Pass” or “Networking Coffee Voucher” tie into the fair’s goals, with a blue-and-yellow Swedish palette.

14. Jackpot: Academic Jackpot

• Players pull a digital lever to align symbols (books, globes, diplomas) in a 60-second slot game. Matching three wins a prize like a conference swag bag. The academic theme and quick play suit the EAIE’s educational focus.

15. Plinko: Pathway Drop

• Design: A Plinko board styled as a university campus, with pegs as “career milestones.” Drop a disc (a student’s journey) to land in slots like “Study Abroad” or “Research Grant.” It’s a fun, 30-second metaphor for educational paths.

Conclusion

Exhibition games are more than just fun—they’re strategic tools to engage visitors, communicate your message, and differentiate your booth. In a culture that values subtlety and meaningful interaction, gamification offers a respectful and impactful way to connect.
We invite you to explore your options by filling out our Exhibition Game Design Form for EAIE Conference. You’ll receive a free one-hour consultation and get to see some of our latest creations. Let’s design something unforgettable together.