Fostering Creativity in Serious Tabletop Game Design
Summary
Interdisciplinarity is...
Chris: Students “bringing in different life experiences and discipline experiences ....and then how can they then come up with a solution to a specific problem that will take in parts of all their different experiences.”
Devon: “Pulling knowledge from multiple areas.”
Dr Devon Allcoat and Dr Chris Evans share insights from their IATL module Serious Tabletop Game Design and Development. This module, offered to all undergraduates in years two through four, focuses on exploring different areas of serious tabletop game design, culminating in students creating their own tabletop game accompanied by a rulebook and an essay. Devon and Chris discuss further the activities that students engage in during the module, as well as the unique opportunity that students have at the end of the module to present at the UK Games Expo. Both note how students develop a better understanding of what it means to take an interdisciplinary module as well an interdisciplinary skillset by looking at the multiple angles of tabletop game design and development. Notably, Chris and Devon argue that the module allows students to exercise their creativity in developing their own game using the skills gained throughout the module.
Students Say
Chris and Devon say that while the module is “challenging their comfort zone,” students come away with invaluable experience. Chris notes one student who presented their game at the UK Game Expo said the opportunity was one of the highlights of their academic career and life thus far. For Devon, receiving positive feedback from female students, who are less represented in the tabletop game industry, is also particularly impactful.
Dr Devon Allcoat
Assistant Professor
WMG
Dr Devon Allcoat is an Assistant Professor at WMG, teaching on the Technology Management, Game Design, and Systems Engineering modules. Dr Devon Allcoat’s research interests lie in Technology, Extended Reality (VR, MR, AR), Psychology, Pedagogy, and Human-Computer Interactions. Together with Dr Chris Evans, Devon leads the IATL module Serious Tabletop Game Design and Development.
See Devon’s full bio here.
Chris Evans
Head of Technology Enhanced Learning
WMG
Dr Chris Evans has worked at WMG for twelve years and is the current Head of Technology Enhanced Learning at WMG. Chris co-convenes the IATL module Serious Tabletop Game Design and Development.
Highlights
The “interactive approach gives the students the opportunity to communicate with each other and people from other disciplines.”
“it’s a great way for them [students] to explore these different areas and see what is engaging for them, what excites them [and] what they’re enthusiastic about.”
Further Resources
Curious to learn more?
Please find more information below:
- Serious Table Top Game Design IATL Module
- Game Expo 2022
- Game Expo 2023
- Meaningful Game Design: The Methodology and Psychology of Tabletop Games
You can also contact: c.l.evans@warwick.ac.uk; devon.allcoat@warwick.ac.uk
You can also contact Chris and Devon: c.l.evans@warwick.ac.uk; devon.allcoat@warwick.ac.uk