Scott Nolan says “props to Game On!” because he’s a geek and an experience designer. I say props to Game On! because I’m a parent. A “game” that gets kids off their bums is a saviour of the next generation. Here’s Nolan’s view:
It’s easy to get washed up in the hype of award season and awe of the outstanding entries, however, being a dad who enjoys kids’ entertainment, and someone experienced across digital art direction and experience design with a passion for story and illustration, I couldn’t go past Game On!
Game On! is an exhibit at the Australian Sports Museum, in Melbourne. Created by Grumpy Sailor and others. The exhibit features 15 sports-based experiences that seamlessly infuse digital and physical in a way that makes me say – I wish I had done that. Not only that, I wish this was around when I was a kid. You see I wasn’t sporty at all, I preferred to get outside to explore nature, get creative, building LEGO, drawing, and playing video games. I’m a bit of a geek.
I’m not sure if you did this or not but I remember/imagine being a kid messing around kicking a ball at a wall practising my skills, but now instead of a wall it’s a visualisation of the goal and instead of the ball simply rebounding you get instant feedback akin to a video game there’s a score ticking over and animated characters cheering you on.
How fun is that! I tell you, if I got to experience this, things might have been different. I wouldn’t have been a geek. I would be a geek who played sports.
“In the Game On! experience we designed a catalyst for play for people of all ages, cultures and abilities, making the sports we love a little more accessible.” – Grumpy Sailor (Source: Good Design Australia)
There is so much that has gone into this solution that I wholeheartedly admire. The human (visitor) centric design that puts an emphasis on inclusivity. It’s done in a way that is inviting, playful with just the right level of competitiveness that I feel opens sport to a wider range of kids adding fun and gamification. The use of digital technology amplifying the fun and joy that can be had with each sport is seamless, and the art direction…forget about it. The lighting design, the illustrations and animation. Somehow, it’s both sophisticated and fun at the same time truly iconic.
It ticks all the boxes delivering an immersive digital experience that is long lasting and meaningful. I just wish there was one in every state, or I could travel around from school to school like Healthy Harrold.
Props to Game on!
[Here’s a little more about it]
