The complexity of global challenges is constantly rising. How can designers address these complexities to incite change fostering the sustainable co-existence of human and ecological systems? Creating games motivating people to engage with topics in a playful way could be one way of making critical issues intelligible and experienceable. But can we change the game with games? Taking this question as a starting point, this modul focuses on the following questions of analysis, design and application of games:

- Game Cultures;

- Dimensions of sustainability;

- Best practice (project presentations);

- Playful methods in future design (e.g. speculative design)

- Approaches to methods of game design;

- Designing digital games, urban games, social impact games, serious games, mixed reality games, alternative reality games;

- Design and implementation of social interaction in games;

- Game content and design considerations to evoke motivation;

- Creation of playful elements in immersive environments and affective infrastructures (e.g. for exhibitions and/or in the museum context);

- Motivation to play vs. motivation to change beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors;

- Storytelling, dramaturgy and visual design of games;

Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Dornbirn, Austria

Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV) Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (NHL, STENDEN)

The students know crucial concepts and approaches of game design, theoretical approaches and indices of ecological, social and economic sustainability. They are capable of developing and prototypically realising a concept focusing on future challenges (e.g. climate change, social segregation, digital divide) using games as a medium or creating playful experience(s). They know how to work in a team and how to present their work in a “game jam” (final presentation).