playing in the park:games in cultural venues

nina simon, museum 2.0nina@museumtwo.com@ninaksimon on twitter

slides at http://balboagame.wik.is

lots of people are gamers.72% of US heads of household play computer and video games

96% of youth under 18 play daily

78% of large US companies use games and simulations in employee training and skill-building

40% of gamers are women

35 is the average age of US game-playersstatistics from: http://www.slideshare.net/avantgame/epic-win-why-gaming-is-the-future-of-learning

games give people...

mastery of structured skills and challenges

games give people...

feedback & encouragement based on clearly delineated goals and values

games give people...

social engagement with diverse fellow-players

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libraryman/2998733732/

games give people...

exciting work exploring new and wondrous pursuits

http://www.flickr.com/photos/avantgame/2963344344/

games give people...

a place to get lost in narrative, art, and action

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brapke/226101874/

games give people...

mastery of structured skills and challenges

feedback & encouragement based on clearly delineated goals and values

social engagement with diverse fellow-players

exciting work exploring new and wondrous pursuits

a place to get lost in narrative, art, and action

how does this relate to a multi-venue cultural institution like Balboa Park?

museum games are often limited to the facility

but they can go anywhere.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tallcj/2150280927/

games inspire people to...

pursue repeat and deepening experiences

openly explore new value systems and ways of thinking

engage deeply in external narratives

enjoy structured exploration of new and foreign places and connections

connect real life to play spaces and stories

cross-platform experiences connect places, people, and tools

we all live in a multi-platform world.

exhibits

emailradio

newspaper

television

blogs

events &festivals

social networks

photo-sharing

venues socialexternal

programs

website

online media

cellphones

word of mouth

events

we all live in a multi-platform world.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deviedev/528153310/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/nathaninsandiego/3465762639/

we all live in a multi-platform world.(some people play in it, too)

we all live in a multi-platform world.(some people play in it, too)

is this a treasure map? why not?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lemontank/3578792394/

books can be treasure maps

exhibits can be treasure

but sometimes books aren’t enough...

how many platforms make an immersive experience?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_babyman/49893497/

how many platforms make an immersive experience?

stories tie real & imagined spaces

stories tie people to objects

stories tie people to places

stories tie people to ideas

stories tie people to real life

stories are not always necessary,but worthwhile pursuits are essential

stories are not always necessary,but worthwhile pursuits are essential

so...what Balboa Park stories or experiences could form the basis for a compelling game?

which values and goals should the game support?

how will you provide feedback and social support to players?

what exciting work can you offer them?

who will be the primary audience, and who else will the game serve?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaslevinson/451943881/

is this guy joking around at the park?or is he playing a game?