Playable Systems (ParadigmShift!)

There is an urgent need in understanding what opportunities might emerge by looking at wicked problems through a design-driven games based lens. The Playable Systems project aim to develop alternative approaches to systemic design-driven innovation based on processes, tools and mechanisms of game design theory and practice. The objective is to aid designers, innovators, leaders, and policy makers in addressing present-day systemic problems (also referred to as wicked problems) in novel ways. There is a lack of both research in terms of games for learning (e.g. beyond theoretical references) and the role of different schools of thought (Dichev & Dicheva, 2017), as well as the role of game mechanics in design for complex problems, which applies beyond the process of design teams (Parker, 2019, Brandt, 2006, Durall & Leinonen & González, 2014). We ask the following research question, “In the face of systemic problems, how might game design scaffold the development and sharing of knowledge to unravel complexity, generate insights, and facilitate change?”

The project aims to develop processes and methods for teaching at Kristiania University College and Georgetown University, focusing on addressing complex issues and systemic leverage points through game co-design.

The project is financed by Kristiania University College