Imagining inclusive technological futures through participatory board game design

Abstract

In 2021, we conducted a series of experimental participatory design workshops that brought diverse groups of participants together to create a board game. The purpose of this project was to use participatory game design as a provocative medium for exploring questions about and ideas for more inclusive and desirable technological futures. This paper presents a report of our experiences conducting this project, reflecting on critical aspects of its creation, facilitation, and outcomes. Through reporting on this reflective practice, we present three key findings that were instrumental in fostering a space for imaginaries of more inclusive and desirable technological futures to emerge. Firstly, through an experimental participatory design structure that promotes polyvocality in the project. Secondly, through applying a critical framework that allowed the game design activities to serve as means for reflecting on social and technological topics. Lastly, by using the affordances of game design to collectively explore ideas for more desirable technological futures. In conclusion, this paper provides methodological insights and possible practical applications of participatory game design for bringing more inclusivity into discussions about, decision-making around, and possibly even the design of future technologies.

Keywords:

• Board game
• participatory design
• inclusivity
• future imaginaries
• digital technology

Acknowledgments

We want to thank the participants of The Algorithms of Late-Capitalism: The Board Game workshop sessions for their inspiring contributions to the project. We would also like to thank the funding organizations SuperrrLab, Bertelsmann Stiftung, and Allianz Kulturstiftung for the support given to us throughout The New New fellowship.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 algorithmsoflatecapitalism.tumblr.com.

2 The game will be published in April 2024 and made available at algorithmsoflatecapitalism.tumblr.com/the-game.

Additional information

Funding

The Algorithms of Late-Capitalism: The Board Game project was funded by SuperrrLab, Bertelsmann Stiftung, and Allianz Kulturstiftung under the 2021 The New New fellowship.

Notes on contributors

Adriaan Odendaal

Adriaan Odendaal is a PhD candidate at Erasmus University Rotterdam where he is part of the Societal Impact of AI (AiPact) research team. His research focuses on the role creative practice can play in facilitating alternative AI design practices. Adriaan is co-founder of the research and design studio internet teapot, a collaboration focusing on speculative and critical design projects.

Karla Zavala Barreda

Karla Zavala Barreda is a PhD candidate in Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow with the interdisciplinary network e-LADDA. She holds an MA in Media Arts Cultures from Aalborg University and a BA in Communication for Social Development from the University of Lima. Her research interests include software studies, platform studies, and critical design. Karla is also co-founder of the research and design studio internet teapot.