De Montfort University (DMU), based in
Leicester, in the heart of England, is revolutionizing the traditional
conference venue and context through a series of Serious Game-Like challenges.
Organizers have
realized the opportunity of transforming the traditional “show format” into a
playful one: a collective interactive experience, which is the essence of "Serious Games" proposition (please find also my prior post For A Serious Game-Like GDC).
As most of
game developers in the segment advocate Serious Games large scale adoption for
experiential learning, DMU seems to be leveraging on the conference great visibility
to “Walk The Talk”.
The DMU
Games Festival to be held from 25th – 28th February, will run as a sort
of Multiplayer Serious Game Platform calling on players to register via
Facebook or Twitter and complete a series of tasks that need to be accomplished
in the real world. Players are rewarded for a completed challenge and
entered onto an online leaderboard.
Games
Festival Coordinator and DMU Research Fellow David Wortley said: “This is the
first conference I have ever been involved in that has used video games and
social network technologies to add an extra dimension to the event.”
“For
example, one of our challenges is to visit the Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary
Charity Shop within the area of De Montfort University’s celebrated Square Mile
project. Players are rewarded with points for making a donation to or buying
something from the shop. These points are added to other challenges in the
festival and winners are further rewarded."
The Games
Festival is part of DMU’s Cultural Exchanges Festival - a diverse week of
interactive discussions, performances and talks showcasing the culture and
creativity of the university.
The Games
Festival Challenges will be hosted via Singapore-based Company Gamemaki –
which specializes in turning online games into real-life challenges. There will
be a Facebook page, as well as a downloadable app so that participants can
participate through their smartphones, tablets or laptops.
The Games
Festival will be a showcase of how games and immersive technologies can address
key issues and sectors. Each day will be based around a different theme:
• 25th Feb: Culture,
Heritage and Tourism
• 26th Feb: Health and
the Ageing Society
• 27th Feb: Community
Engagement and Empowerment
• 28th Feb: Creative
Technologies and Immersive Experiences
David
Wortley continued: “My aim is to make this festival the most memorable,
entertaining and rewarding experience for everyone involved – students, staff,
visitors, local enterprises and the national and international experts
demonstrating the latest technologies. We will combine fun, education and
social good in an amazing four-day showcase of what "Serious Games" can offer
society.”
From now
until the close of the Games Festival on Feb 28th, anyone can register as a
player either on the DMU Games Festival Challenges web page or by downloading the Gamemaki app for smart phones and iPads from the
Apple store.