The aim of the Commons** games is to enable the design and development of environments for conversation and collaboration, through the use of maps, apps, stories and self-organising.
This note outlines how we are developing online and face-to-face games based on our work over the past 20 years, and our recent exploration into making London a more Networked City. We have, under development, prototypes of the games and an online app, and demonstrations of local and collaboration mapping.
We are seeking partners to test and invest time, expertise or funds in the games and learning spaces to support their use.
** The idea of the Commons is an environment within which connections and collaborations can take place.Practically it is a set of connected online and on-the-ground spaces and activities where people can use a range of methods for conversation and collaboration, often supported by community connectors or network weavers. See end note on terms.
Participants on our game to design London civil society support system
Games
We are developing three games that have elements in common. These cover:
How to develop a local hub and platform, that supports the Commons for a neighbourhood
How to develop a networked hub and platformfor collaborations within and between networks, and networked organisations
How to support Commons connectorsin localities and networks - the people who help build relationships and collaborations
Each game will have
a Living Lab workshop versionthat can be played in a group using cards and other paper-based materials.
an online appthat replicates the workshop game, and which can be used both on its own and to facilitate workshops
Back-up learning resources
An online spaceto share learning
We are drawing on 20 years experience in developing a wide range of Living Lab games, and our recent Networked City exploration into connecting Londoners. We have the prototype of a Commons app. We are starting work with a group of networks on shared communications and a learning space.
Poster summarising Connecting Londoners
More below on Networked City and our development approach.
Framework behind the games
Each game will be based on a methodology developed through our Living Lab workshops:
Describing the setting - either a real place, organisation or network, or a fictitious scenario
Establishing the valuesfor the Commons - the expected norms of behaviour, and design criteria for the platform
Identifying who will benefit from the development of the Commons. Again these may be real people or groups, or personas
Detailing the social, environmental or economic challengeswithin the Commons that will be addressed by development of the platform, and support for connectors
Outlining activitiesthat could meet these challenges, whether carried out by individuals, groups or organisations
Choosing methodsthat can be used by connectors and others within the Commons. These will be in four main categories of finding, sharing, collaborating and managing.
Prioritisingthe methodsagainst criteria of importance and timescale.
Reflecting and learningthrough the resources and online space.
Examples of personas
Principles
Overall the game design, support materials and learning opportunities will be based on these principles:
Understand the existing assets and collaborative connections within a locality, organisation or network - so map the social infrastructure and social ecology
Where possible encourage use of existing assets
Blend methods- online, face-to-face and print
Support people in telling storiesabout their interests, needs, successes, failure
Respect existing cultures, while recognising that new forms of organising may be neededto address challenges
Summary
Games
Framework behind the games
Development approach