Team

The game industry needs to involve more critical types of play, and the most intriguing and introspective games are emerging from independent, social activist, and artists game makers. Such unconventional games, those "with a purpose," help us investigate our beliefs, actions, and social and personal values.  'Gaming With a Purpose' is a laudable initiative and promises to foster much needed dialogue and idea exchange among game developers, researchers and various social organizations and stakeholders focusing on personal and social change. As the founder and director of the Tiltfactor laboratory, I support this initiative with my expertise, network, and skills as a loyal advisor and supporter.

I am excited to support the gaming with a purpose initiative in Vienna. The association can help to make gaming and game design opportunities available to more young people, and grow our understanding of the potential of games to transform the way we work, learn, communicate and play.

As game scholar and developer focusing on games that tackle social and personal issues I strongly support this initiative with my network and know how.

„Computerspiele sind längst gesellschaftsfähig und Bestandteil unseres täglichen Lebens geworden. Allerdings liegt es in der Verantwortung der Erziehungsberechtigten sich damit auseinander zu setzen. Medienkompetenz ist essenziell und kann durch dementsprechende Software unterstützt werden. Gerade im Bereich des Serious Gaming gibt es enormen Nachholbedarf. Serious Gaming versucht proaktiv auf spielerische Art Lehrinhalte einem jungen Zielpublikum zu vermitteln – ein Vorhaben, das man nur unterstützen kann!“

In a nutshell I believe that games are powerful tools to foster deep and meaningful learning. Games offer their players unique environments for exploration, expression and idenification. The creation and enhancemnet of purpose driven games is an opportunity not to be missed.

"Games with a purpose" macht ernst mit den Worten Friedrich Schillers: Spielen um ganz Mensch zu werden! Auch in Österreich ein Zentrum zu schaffen, von dem aus Computerspiele endgültig die Schmuddelecke verlassen und Beiträge zur gesellschaftlichen Entwicklung leisten können, ist ein im höchsten Maße unterstützenswertes Vorhaben!

As a researcher I'm interested in the potential of games beyond pure entertainment. As a designer I'm exploring this potential through projects ranging from social impact games to game art and games about music. I'm excited to get inspiration from and contribute my knowledge to this very welcome and important initiative.