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This summer, I had the pleasure of attending the Serious Play Conference at York University in Toronto, an event dedicated to the power of play and games in learning, training, and problem-solving across various sectors. The conference was a hub of innovation and ideas, showcasing how online and physical serious games can be a transformative tool in fields like education, healthcare, defense, and business.
One of my favorite breakouts, a longer and more intense session, was on game design.
We explored how to create engaging, purposeful games that teach, inspire, and motivate. The discussion around mechanics, narrative, and player engagement was both inspiring and practical, reaffirming my belief in the impact of well-crafted games. Our newly formed table team invented a game to help teach soon-to-graduate nurses about career options, with some ethical dilemmas added for discussion. What a fun prototyping workshop!
We also had the opportunity to present our Playsonality™ assessment, which was a highlight of the experience. Participants were not only treated to the online assessment and workshop, but they gained a deeper view into the differences in how people prefer to play. Sharing insights with fellow professionals who are equally passionate about the intersection of play and learning made the event truly unforgettable.