the science of play at work
Sneak a Peek
Communicate and recreate a masterpiece as quickly as possible
PLAYERS
Minimum:
4
Maximum:
12
Ideal:
6
EXPERIENCE
Duration:
Medium
Physical:
Yes
Virtual:
Yes
CLASSIFICATION
Genre:
Challenge / simulation
Dynamic 1:
Dynamic 2:
Construction
Memory
COMPLEXITY
To Play:
Simple
To Setup:
Simple
To Custom:
Intermediate
MATRIX
Instinct:
Act
Intent:
Why
BONDING
Materials
VIRTUAL SETUP
+ Building blocks (or something similar)
+ Space divider to keep blocks hidden from everyone
Physical Setup
First, the facilitator creates a small sculpture or design out of sight from the rest of the group.
Next, the divide the group into two even teams and gives each the necessary supplies to replicate the facilitator's creation.
Finally, decide which player on each team is allowed to see the creation first. They will have to communicate what they see to the rest of the group.
Virtual Setup
Either use a breakout to separate the creation that people can visit, leverage a spatial audio platform like Gather, and/or commit to drawings over scuptures.
Gameplay
First Look: The first viewer from each team approaches the creation and peeks at it for 5 seconds. During this time, they try to memorize it as much as possible before returning to their team. Upon returning to their teams, they have 30 seconds to instruct their teams on how to replicate the design. Next Look: After the 30 seconds, another member from each group gets a 5-second peek and returns to their team.
Endgame: Continue in this pattern until one of the teams successfully replicates the design well enough.
Variations
Length of Peek: Adjust the amount of time players have to either look at or give building instructions for the object.
Limited Communication: Restrict how the player can instruct their teammates on building the object (e.g., no hands-on help, no hand gestures, no verbal directions).
Chain Link: Make team communication an assembly line of instructions. This codifies roles a little more (i.e. creation viewer, middleman, recreator)
Pulse Check
Q. Does everyone seem open to keep playing? Are the disengaged able to be more engaged?
Q. Are people having fun — smiling, laughing, in deep thought?
Q. Do you hear productive strategizing about how to improve round-to-round?
BUILDING
Act
Position the reflection around the need to be in motion and see measurable progress:
How did your team define success? What indicated you were on the right track?
What game insights can you apply to better handle future times of crisis or uncertainty?
Did this game give you any ideas about how to activate team skills and resources in new ways?
Why
Position the reflection around the purpose of playing as a collective group:
Did certain players enjoy the game more than others? Why or why not?
Why did you engage the way you did? Would anything have helped increase your engagement?
Did the outcome surprise you? Why or why not?