Through party games, strangers can become friends, and friends can build lifelong memories together. As designers, could we structure these games to build an even deeper, lasting trust between different types of players, even after the experience is over? Can a game facilitate players feeling comfortable sharing their personal thoughts and feelings? How do we get from a light-hearted acquaintance to a meaningful friendship? What are the different personality types to account for, and how might they contribute to or disrupt social safety? And crucially, is it possible to create a social game where all players feel seen, appreciated, and empowered?
This project aims to develop a 5 to 15-minute digital party game which seeks to answer some of these questions. The team will also develop and present their understanding of social dynamics and game mechanics conducive to building trust and social intimacy.
If you have any questions about the project, feel free to contact us at jcromp@andrew.cmu.edu
Lead Game Designer @ Center for Transformational Play