This video from legendary game designer Will Wright hits the nail on the head in saying that Serious Games are so focused on being worthy of academic interest that they lose their playful nature. This then works against them as it is that element of play and fun which makes them potentially valuable educational tools. His quote from Rod Sterling about the Twilight Zone being “the only show that could deal with reality” (despite being a science fiction program) perfectly illustrates how we can create engaging fictional experiences that are inspired by fact that then come full circle to inspire their audience to think differently (even though they didn’t consciously come to the content for a “meaningful” experience).

The Guardian have a nice interview with Will Wright up that discusses his approach to game design, in particular the empowerment of the player through the provision of tool-sets and simulations that act as a platform for expressive play.

Unlocking the power of parallel play

He says of his experience designing Sim City:

“I had this little guinea pig city which I could do experiments on, which made the subject so much more interesting than reading a book. So the process of discovery, and getting other people to enjoy discovery has always been a part of it.”

I think we could probably consider all of Wright’s games Meaningful Play to varying degrees. I’m certainly keen to see whether his new Spore game can capture the imagination of the masses through its ambitious attempt to simulate ”...life from a single cell to a solar empire.”