Facilitators guiding the discussion after gameplay can prompt questions to guide thinking, mitigate confusion, and create deeper understanding.

EXAMPLE

A game places players in the role of farmers trying to create the most productive farm, while the game includes climate change factors that may impact how their crops and animals fare. 

As players engage with in-game characters to understand the cause-and-effect of in-game events, players may also engage in a Twitch stream – during which viewers may comment and ask questions. The players may also choose to bring on a climate science or agriculture expert to dive deeper into how the mechanics may be representative of real-world challenges and potential solutions.

WHY USE IT?

Research indicates the presence of a facilitator can greatly increase the level of reflection players can have about an experience (Flood et al 2018).

MORE ABOUT THIS TACTIC

• Discussion can help players “decompress”, creating a safe space to explore and ask questions they may not otherwise be able to.
• In-game facilitation requires a lot of multitasking and can be difficult. Out-of-game facilitation is easier, but it is important to create a safe space for those discussions. Setting rules of engagement can reduce the risk of a bad experience.
• Out-of-game facilitation greatly benefits from the presence of a good facilitator, as well as a subject matter expert. However, a player-driven approach can also be very beneficial because it allows players to lead the conversation. Create quick start guides or a set of prompts players can use to get started.

From the Environmental Game Design Playbook
– by IGDA Climate SIG