Strategic Play: Board Games and Simulations in Learning and Design

Catalog description

Delve into the realm of game design projects and gain conceptual insights along with hands-on experience in simulation gaming (SG). SG is a well-established field with proven value across various domains, from spatial and urban planning to ecology, engineering, public administration, business management, learning, research, and consultancy. The remarkable growth and success of the video gaming industry have heightened the interest in simulation games, extending from traditional paper-based games to video games designed for learning and policy making. In this course, seasoned speakers will deliver lectures on the history, future, design, typology, and facilitation of SG. While the role of computers and video games will be discussed, the primary emphasis is not on technology. Students will have ample opportunities to explore a diverse array of games, including role-playing and board games, that convey potent messages about decision-making and management. Students will be challenged to conceive, develop, test, and facilitate their own simulation games tailored to support decision-making, learning, training, business, management, and change. Working in small groups, they will also tackle scientific questions related to game design.