Game rules — the key to activation and connection
Play is present in every aspect of our lives. With a few well-considered rules you bring elements to life and encourage people to explore, play and start a conversation.
The element of play is present in every aspect of our lives — in our upbringing, in entrepreneurship and even in our social interactions. Wherever we look, play is present to some degree.
In his profound lecture, Rainer Schulte points out that one of the core functions of play is to create a certain tension. The game challenges us to exist within that tension, thereby strengthening the connection between us and the matter at hand.
A corporate gift that came to life
A fine example is a project I was involved in years ago. A friend who is an artist had created a beautiful graphic design for two decks of cards, offered to clients of an organisation that wanted to strengthen international collaborations.
The cards could of course be used for poker or other traditional games. But the artist was after more: more tension and more connection between the players. By adding a specific set of game rules, described in an accompanying manual, the game came to life. Participants were activated to play together and to open a dialogue about their collaboration.
The difference was immediately visible
The difference between the two versions quickly became clear. The corporate gift without the rules was, after a polite thank you, set aside. The version with the rules was unpacked, explored, played and discovered — exactly the response we had aimed for.
This project was a powerful reminder: a well-considered set of rules can be a vital tool to foster engagement and action. With a few simple rules you bring different elements to life.
Are you also looking for a game, or want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch — I’d be glad to point you in the right direction.