Group members:
Mansi Chottani, Kye Li Chia, Ruoxi Song
Research question:
How can we preserve traditions through games?
Our solution
Introducing traditional games to the public through a local traditional games fest
Date:
3rd July - 24th November 2023
We initiated the development of the traditional games archive by immersing ourselves in the history of the traditional chapteh game. Concurrently, we crafted branding guidelines and outlines gameplay mechanics and screen layouts.
Seeking expertise, we consulted from Joanne at the CTL, who offered valuable suggestions and highlighted potential challenges and safety concerns. One prominent issue was the impracticality of a wireless chapteh due to weight constraints, as wiring it raised safety issues and limited functionality to a small sensor area on participants' bodies.
We prototyped the game to understand the gameplay experience better and explore solutions to overcome these technological and safety difficulties. Our tests revealed that the chapteh has to be light as when it is heavy it falls to ground too quickly which makes it difficult to play the game. We also acknowlegde that the wired option is dangerous as people could get caught in it. This setback left us feeling disheartened, prompting us to reassess our direction.
Reflecting on our progress, we acknowledged the strength of our previous project ‘Timeless Play’ which we did at London Design Festival and decided to refocus on that foundation. Our new proposal centered around designing an interactive archive of traditional games, presented as a festival during International Games Month. We selected Hyde Park as our festival venue due to its status as one of London's most frequented parks. Situated centrally and boasting easy accessibility, it aligns perfectly with our eco-friendly festival ethos, supported by its green initiatives and sustainability focus.
The fest would feature dedicated gameplay zones enriched with informative infographics. Additionally, it will offer a foldable map showcasing available games—a unique element transforming into a game itself known as Paji. The concept revolves around ensuring that everything participants receive during the fest encourages and enhances gameplay.
Participants will receive tokens of appreciation (which can also be played as a game called ceper), engage in competitions, and access a comprehensive website hosting digital event information.
We initiated the design and testing phase for our Paji origami instructions, engaging others to gauge their understanding of the folding process. Additionally, we conducted tests to verify if the Paji functioned effectively in actual gameplay, ensuring it met the minimum required weight for gameplay.
We began restructuring and refining our infographics following feedback from our testing participants. Collaborating with individuals unfamiliar with the games, we adapted the step-by-step instructions based on the phrases they naturally used to describe the games to someone else.
In a subsequent tutorial with Wan, Greg, Al, and Tyler, we received insightful feedback:
- Utilise social media and create a unique hashtag for Instagram engagement.
- Consider physicality—create booklets or collectible (infographic) for easy sharing.
- Provide downloadable or shareable PDFs for wider accessibility.
- Emphasise that the project is an invitation to share diverse cultures.
- Develop a toolkit on the website for others to host similar festivals in their areas.
- Implement leadership boards on the website or physically as scoreboards.
- Conduct thorough game testing to validate their relevance in the festival context.
- Distribute toolkit booklets to attendees for better engagement with the games.
These feedback guided our ongoing refinement process as we strive to create an inclusive and engaging Traditional Games Festival experience.