This may seem like an indiscriminate plug, but I promise it is relevant in beginning this short thought. I’m chairing a Game Pit at the May You Live In Interesting Times Festival of Creative Technology in Cardiff next week, (so if you’re in town, do come along). Anyone who knows me will know that I don’t like to go into these things unprepared, so I’ve spent a bit of time really thinking about pervasive play.

Play is fun, and fun is a marvellous thing. Whether you’re shy, confident, loud, quiet, young, old – everyone loves it. Pervasive games ask ordinary people to follow instructions that often challenge them to take a more adventurous attitude towards public spaces – so what effect does this have on their social interactions? Are they empowered to act against social constraints? Does this open opportunities?

I don’t usually push what’s essentially corporate advertising, but during my research I stumbled upon thefuntheory.com (a Volkswagon initiative) and I really enjoyed browsing the videos. Here’s a series of projects that demonstrate what can happen when play creeps into the everyday. Play can have a huge effect on social interactions. When taking part in a game, the following of a simple rule set frees people from the constraints of their everyday behaviours. They’re encouraged and ‘allowed’ to behave differently. So when it comes to addressing societal issues such as obesity or even climate change, play can become a powerful tool in helping to change behaviour, and in turn, change attitude.

More games for everyone please.