Ludic Method. A Free Play Introduction

DATE: 26.03.2025 PLACE: AUDITORIUM VZA 7 TIME: 10:30-16:00 ADDRESS: VORDERE ZOLLAMTSTRASSE 7, 1030 VIENNA

 

In the Experimental Game Cultures study programme, in practical and theoretical work with students, we develop a method for taking a closer look, a process and an understanding of the world — in multiperspectivity instead of abstraction. We are passionate about the LUDIC METHOD: the game as a process that becomes socially relevant and effective. Internationally renowned speakers and activists of play culture will provide insights into their activities and formulate contributions for a ‘Handbook of the Ludic Method’ in 2025.

 

Opening words: Vice Rector Brigitte Felderer

 

Introduction: Margarete Jahrmann, Head Experimental Game Cultures

 

The symposium will bring together contributions to the Ludic Method, a principle introduced in Experimental Game Cultures. The event will feature a diverse group of speakers who will engage in a series of discussions on a range of topics, including ludic research practice, new insights into cooperative and viable experimental game art, future society dynamics, artistic research, science and epistemic things, technologies and key tools such as AI and deep dreaming, non-human and pataplay, gender, and cognitive sciences. These discussions will be conducted in a playful "ludic" format, and the event will also contribute to a future PLAY BOOK.

 

The disruptive concept of the "ludic method" builds on artistic experiences made in cultural public spaces and on the design of rule-driven systems (games), which are then opened in processual forms of play and insight. It combines methodologies introduced in scientific research and rule-driven systems, comparable to the magic circle of play, with the arts.

 

It explores new paths of artistic research, experimental game, and arts, connecting to systemic and experimental thinking with the socially relevant, in a "psycholudic approach", to contribute to a more balanced and democratic world.

 

The aim of this ludic discourse is to develop new cultural techniques to continuously innovate game dynamics and methods of art as research. The utilization of performative practice and installations, functioning as experimental systems, marks a progression in ludic method research, leading to the creation of artistic artifacts as epistemic objects that facilitate a sustainable flow of discourse.

 

Detailed Program:

 

10.30 - 11.00 Opening and Introduction Brigitte Felderer and Margarete Jahrmann

 

11.00 - 11.45 Play our way out, play our way in: Speculative Play (or speculative future play) in Dystopian Times Mary Flanagan

 

11.45 - 12.30 The Dystopia of Play: Games, Freedom, and the Plague of Optimization Jesper Juul

 

12.30 - 13.15 Break

 

13.15 - 14.00 Everything To Play For. How Videogames are Changing the World Marijam Did

 

14.00 - 14.45 Limits And Demonstrations: Games Doing Politics Shalev Moran

 

14.45 - 15.00 break

 

15.00-15.45 Play in Practice: Exploring The Playful Arts Community Zuraida Buter

 

15.45-16.00 Closing remarks Thomas Brandstetter & Margarete Jahrmann

 

 

 

Mary Flanagan Play our way out, play our way in: Speculative Play (or speculative future play) in Dystopian Times
https://maryflanagan.com
How should artists and gamers respond in environmental and political crises?

 

Creative people struggle to make a difference and see what is “worth it” in the face of daunting global challenges. Play, however, invites us to initiate a profound shift from current norms and situations. This talk sets out playful challenges among social, ecological, technical domains to make a radical departure from the status quo.

 

The common image of play and games is one of wonderful freedom and open experimentation, yet there are also two recurring fears about the value of play. The traditional fear is that playing is fundamentally frivolous. The newer fear is that playing leads players towards narrowminded optimization, forgetting both beauty and human values as they descend into a purely rational state of mind. In this talk, Jesper will tell a history of the value of play, as expressed in the history of video games, from arcade games to big-budget titles, to casual games, and recent experimental indie games.

 

 

Jesper Juul The Dystopia of Play: Games, Freedom, and the Plague of Optimization
https://www.jesperjuul.net
The common image of play and games is one of wonderful freedom and open experimentation, yet there are also two recurring fears about the value of play. The traditional fear is that playing is fundamentally frivolous. The newer fear is that playing leads players towards narrowminded optimization, forgetting both beauty and human values as they descend into a purely rational state of mind. In this talk, Jesper will tell a history of the value of play, as expressed in the history of video games, from arcade games to big-budget titles, to casual games, and recent experimental indie games.

 

 

Marijam Did Everything To Play For. How Videogames are Changing the World
https://www.marijamdid.com/
The lecture will examine the political Efficacy of videogames - an under-examined sphere within the impactful games discourse. How can they become political tools, with actual ability to drive real-world change beyond being mere signifiers? We will critically analyse various games titles alongside case studies from other artistic media, in particular Fine Art, and will compare the best practices and failures. By utilising learnings from thinkers such as Claire Bishop, Nicholas Bourriaud, Walter Benjamin and Theodor Adorno this talk will challenge attendees to rethink what political engagement through play could look like, and what it is not.

 

 

Shalev Moran Limits And Demonstrations: Games Doing Politics
https://www.shalevmoran.com
Game designer and multimedia artist Shalev Moran will present three of his previous videogame works, each tackling political realities in different ways. From commercial titles to absolute indie, from engaging with old histories to ongoing current events.

 

The presentation will examine different creative strategies in making "political" games, their potential, as well as their limitations.

 

Zuraida Buter Play in Practice: Exploring The Playful Arts Community
https://www.z o-ii.com
Over the years independent game developers and playful artists from different fields have created alternative ways of playing with the world, with games and with each other, bridging the worlds of art, technology, design and games. Having been involved in several festivals and events over the years and connecting many artists Zuraida will take the audience on a journey through several of these projects, festivals and works of playful artists encouraging new perspectives on playful approaches.