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 exchange the game with games? Taking this question as a starting point, this module 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 and methods of game design

-Designing digital games, urban games, social impact games, serious games, mixed reality games, alternate 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

Blended

FHV, IPCA and 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 focussing 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).