Design + Play + Research

Engaging with history and culture through playful interactions - Design, prototype and play-test board-games!

In the first phase, participants will develop a team-based project, where a heritage site, artefact or event of interest will be translated into the expressive language of play, taking advantage of the ludic and narrative properties of this type of interaction.

In a second phase, the project will be concretised into a functional experimental artefact, developed using a combination of rapid prototyping techniques and play-testing methods. Through iterative cycles of play, evaluation, and refinement, participants will reflect and gain a better understanding of the inherent problems of designing historical games.

No previous game design experience is required. This workshop benefits from having participants from various backgrounds. It is however especially relevant to people from heritage studies, archaeology and/or history.

This workshop will be facilitated by Dr Juan Hiriart.