Games for Transformation
Designing games that challenge, provoke, and encourage self-reflection through difficult topics
PhD Research
Game Design
Learning Games
PROJECT BREAKDOWN
The Challenge
Design games that effectively incorporate complex, controversial topics in ways that foster self-reflection and personal growth without alienating players.
The Goal
Create a framework for integrating discursive topics into games, balancing emotional engagement and controlled exposure to achieve meaningful transformation.
Tools
Research Frameworks, Unity, Blender, Adobe Creative Suite
My Roles
Research Through Design, Interviewing, Data Analysis, Visual Communication, Concept Development
Details
Team: Roberto, Stan Ruecker (Advisor)
Timeline: 4 years
The Research
We used a Research Through Design methodology, conducting two phases: the first focused on defining key frameworks (engagement, emotional investment, friction points, controlled exposure) and the second analyzed case studies and prototypes. These insights informed a new Discursive Topic Integration Framework.
The Outcome
The framework offers actionable design strategies on how to present complex topics in games, focusing on emotional anchors and timing for player engagement. This tool helps designers create games that build capacity, resilience, and emotional intelligence in players.
RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS
Topic Integration Framework
Developed a framework that guides how to introduce complex topics (such as political, emotional, or taboo themes) into games without breaking immersion. It offers strategies to manage timing, intensity, and emotional framing within the “magic circle” of play.
Magic Circle Theoretical Perspective
Expanded the concept of the magic circle to include friction points and discursive content. Introduced a metaphorical “bubble” model to describe how player engagement is maintained, expanded, or disrupted through topic delivery, emotional climate, and narrative consistency.
Self-Development Matrix
Created a matrix mapping four developmental modes (comprehend self, others, actions, and information) against emotional and cognitive friction. The matrix supports designers in targeting personal growth, empathy, and identity exploration through interactive experiences.
Four Criteria for Design Theories
Co-authored a framework to strengthen the development of design theories. The criteria advocate for broad applicability, propositional language, integration with existing theories, and an acknowledgment of design’s inherently generative nature.
BEHIND THE SCENES
RESEARCH THROUGH DESIGN
Used a Research Through Design methodology to explore how discursive topics can be introduced into games without breaking player engagement. Prototypes were developed not only as outcomes but as tools to generate insight through iterative making, testing, and reflection.
CASE STUDIES
Analyzed eight games (such as Celeste, Night in the Woods, and This War of Mine) for how they foster emotional engagement and self-development. Insights were drawn from gameplay, creator interviews, reviews, and critical discourse, then filtered through the framework developed in phase one.
PROTOTYPES
Developed and analyzed three original games as part of the research process (Grimoire of Time, Apocalypse Cats, and Multilarity). Each prototype explored different design strategies for supporting self-development through emotional, social, or cognitive engagement.