Multispecies methods, technologies for play

ABSTRACT

This article discusses methodological considerations of user-centred design for non-human animals. These considerations are illustrated through a design research project that aims to apply digital technology to build games for orangutans’ enrichment. The article argues that design for other species reveals limitations of designers’ knowledge of prospected users. The article explores how to approach participants who cannot express themselves verbally and how to recognise play that may not look familiar to the designer. The article finally presents a participatory design method that allows for non-human contributions in design. This method applies play as an interspecies co-creative act and can be used as a starting point for addressing questions of difference in play and designing games that allow for ambiguous play.

KEYWORDS:

• Game design
• non-human animal play
• non-human animal creativity
• design research
• participation

Notes on contributors

Ida Kathrine Hammeleff Jørgensen is a research assistant at the Center for Computer Games Research at the IT-University of Copenhagen. Her research interests revolve around games and game play that are not easily recognised as such, in particular games for non-human animals.

Dr Hanna Wirman is a research assistant professor at the School of Design of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University where she teaches game design and development. Hanna researches marginal and critical ways of playing and making games leading various serious games development projects in collaboration with local schools and NGOs as well as experts from other domain areas. Hanna serves as the President of Chinese DiGRA and on the Executive Board of Digital Games Research Association. She is the Director of Global Game Jam Hong Kong and leads the DATE Collaborative Space (Design for Assistive Technologies and Education) at PolyU J.C. Innovation Tower.

ORCID

Ida Kathrine Hammeleff Jørgensen http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8217-6058

Hanna Wirman http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9578-2708