Category: Blog

This is the highly informal blog of the GAME-department. We use it mostly to document the things we do outside of running one of the worlds strongest game educations. For information about our education, programs and courses, check the official site at Uppsala University.

Posted on - Comments Off on Gotland Game Hub, March 13
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Gotland Game Hub, March 13

:star2: Join Us at Gotland Game Hub! :star2:

This week, we’re thrilled to host Sabine Harrer as our special guest, who will delve into the fascinating world of Game Design at the Edge: 10 games that I didn’t know I could make & number 7 will surprise you!

As always, our Community Pop-up awaits you from 13.00 to 17:00. Enjoy a refreshing coffee break at 15:00, followed by Sabine’s talk at 15:30, and an opportunity to share your ideas and get feedback at the Open Mic session.

See you there! :rocket:

:date:Date: Wednesday, March 13
:clock1:Time: 13:00 – 17:00
:microphone:Gotland Game Talk with Sabine Harrer 13:30
:round_pushpin:Location: Rindi

Posted on - Comments Off on Gotland Game Hub, March 6th
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Gotland Game Hub, March 6th

:star2: Attention Game Designers! This week’s Talk at Gotland Game Hub is about the design of transformative role-playing games.”  :star2:

:date: Date: Wednesday, March 6
:clock1: Time: 13:00 – 17:00
:round_pushpin: Location: Rindi

This week, we’re thrilled to host Sarah Lynne Bowman, who will share invaluable insights on “How to design transformative role-playing games.” Don’t miss this chance to learn from a seasoned expert in the field!

Here’s what’s in store for you this Wednesday:

:sparkles::video_game: 13:00 – Play, Create, Elevate

  • Test games, collaborate with fellow enthusiasts, and refine your creations.
  • Share ideas, receive feedback, and work on your game projects in our collaborative workspaces.

:coffee: 15:00 – Networking Café

  • Connect with like-minded individuals over a cup of coffee or tea.
  • Indulge in delicious refreshments and satisfy your sweet tooth while forging new connections.

:microphone: 15:30 – Open Mic and Meet our Guest

  • Get inspired by our special guest talk and discover new perspectives on game design.
  • Take the stage to share your game-related ideas, projects, or announcements.

:sparkles::video_game: 16:00 – Play, Create, Elevate (Continued)

  • Test games, engage in networking opportunities, and continue refining your projects.
  • Share insights, collaborate, and wrap up the day on a high note.

See you there! :rocket:

Posted on - Comments Off on Gotland Game Hub, February 28
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Gotland Game Hub, February 28

Fellow Gamers and Visionaries!

Time again for a playtest day with Gotland Game Hub at Rindi, this Wednesday, February 28!

We are especially happy to welcome a grand playtest session of “Odin’s Defense”, an ambitious game project by a group of our very own 2nd-year students. Come and play it before everyone else, and take the opportunity to bring your own games for testing as well, there’s plenty of space.

But that’s not all. As part of our Meet the Faculty talk-series, we also welcome our esteemed colleague and all-round art virtuoso Ray Whitcher, who will give a short talk on “Telling your own story as a game designer”!

So, pack your computers, dice, cards, boards, counters and pawns – or just yourself – for a fabulous afternoon in our gaming living room at Rindi!

Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store:

13:00 – 17:00 Play, Create, Elevate – featuring “Odin’s Defense”
• Immerse yourself in playing, testing, and discussing game projects with fellow gamers.
• Share ideas and receive feedback.

15:00 Networking Café:
• Connect with fellow gamers, designers, and creative geniuses.
• Refill on some sweet or savoury treats and hot beverages!  15:30 Ray Whitcher: “Telling your own story as a game designer” Followed by Open Mic:
• Announce upcoming game events!
• What is going on in the room? • Pitch your game concepts! See you on Wednesday!

Posted on - Comments Off on Role-playing with Kids: Creating Transformative Experiences for Children under 12
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Role-playing with Kids: Creating Transformative Experiences for Children under 12

Join us for our first lecture in the Erasmus EDGE Event Series: “Role-playing with Kids: Creating Transformative Experiences for Children Under 12” by Angie Bandhoesingh from Dragons’ Nest! This event is part of our Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership for curriculum development in transformative game design.

When: Tuesday, Feb 6, 7-8:30pm Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Where: Online on Zoom
Register here: http://tinyurl.com/4hfd6nwj
RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/msbvvp8s 
Link will be provided to registrants on the day of the event. Make sure to sign in with the same name you used to register.

Erasmus EDGE is a joint Higher Education Cooperation Partnership project between Uppsala University, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Dragons’ Nest, Chaos League, and Avalon Larp Studio.

Description of event:

During this talk we will delve into the use of role-playing games, including tabletop and larp, as educational tools specifically tailored for children under the age of 12.

TTRPGs, besides their inherent fun aspect, serve as exceptional educational tools by creating secure and imaginative environments. Here, participants can engage in experimentation, fostering self-discovery, and honing crucial cognitive skills such as communication, decision-making, out-of-the-box thinking, emotional intelligence, empathy, and teamwork. In contrast, larps offer a hands-on experience where players actively participate in the narrative, applying acquired knowledge practically through experiential learning.
Both tools are extremely impactful in the development of life skills of the participants. However, a responsible approach to design is necessary, especially when designing for kids. This includes meticulous consideration of age-appropriate settings and themes and the implementation of emotional safety measures.

Presenter bio: 

Angie Bandhoesingh is an educator and an educational game designer for children and adults, with a focus on non-formal education. She has a lot of passion for game-based learning and transformative role-playing games. She has an educator’s degree from the Literature, Philosophy, and Psychology department of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens. After many years of work in the formal educational system, she cofounded Dragon’s Nest (formerly RPG4Kids), co-creating the edu-RPG ”Sorcerer’s Apprentices” as a tool for the development of soft skills in kids aged 5-12. Since then she has focused on developing meaningful and fun educational experiences for kids and adults, utilizing the power of play, such as larps, boardgames, and other mediums.

Erasmus EDGE is a joint Higher Education Cooperation Partnership project between Uppsala University, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Dragons’ Nest, Chaos League, and Avalon Larp Studio.

This series is hosted by the Games & Society Lab at the Department of Game Design, Uppsala University Campus Gotland. The series explores the use of analog role-playing games as vehicles for lasting personal and social change.