Create Games, Preserve Culture
Turn culture into play in this 3-day workshop by acclaimed author Chris Solarski—designing transformative games that preserve traditions, identities, and sensory experiences through hands-on creation (available on-site or online).
WHAT IS IT?
Kinaesthetic Time Capsules is an original game design method celebrating cultural heritage, identity and self-expression. It focuses on game design (the mechanics and structures of how games work) with a foundation in traditional art and design practices throughout history—presenting an artistic, empathy-driven approach to game design.
WHAT WE’LL DO?
In the 3-day workshop we’ll develop playable game prototypes that can form the basis for a board game, or proof-of-concept for a digital video game. Participants are encouraged to avoid conflict-based gameplay. Instead, empathy, cultural heritage, identity, and self-expression form the main design principles.
WHO IS IT FOR?
The Kinaesthetic Time Capsules workshop is ideal for game designers, museum practitioners, teachers, researchers and developers in digital empathy, mental health, neurodiversity, disability, embodiment and HCI, gamification and UX designers looking to explore innovative solutions that reimagine our physical and emotional connection to play and virtual worlds.
Kinaesthetic Time Capsule (noun)
“An analog or digital artefact used to archive sensory experiences relating to the body and body motion, to be physically re-experienced in the future.”
WHAT IS GAME DESIGN AND CULTURAL HERITAGE?
Game design and cultural heritage deals with the preservation of non-physical cultural elements, such as traditions, performing arts, rituals, and craftsmanship, which shape the identity of communities. Preserving these aspect of culture is known as intangible cultural heritage (ICH), which is of crucial importance to organisations and initiatives like UNESCO, EdHeroes, the Porto Santo Charter, Culture 21 PLUS, and their mission to ensure that unique cultural expressions are not lost as well as engaging young people in the process.
Although intangible culture primarily deals with non-physical cultural elements, the Kinaesthetic Time Capsules game design method utilises physical sensory objects, since these are often linked to identities, rituals, performances and oral traditions. The Kinaesthetic Time Capsules method can therefore be used to interactively engage and archive the sensory experiences of individuals, cultural groups and civilisations. Additionally, the method’s practical hands-on exercises using analog (non-digital) tools help designers develop a heightened appreciation for the sensory, kinetic and aesthetic value of game components before they’re digitised.
MEET YOUR FACILITATOR
Chris Solarski is the acclaimed author of Drawing Basics and Video Game Art (Watson-Guptill 2012), and Interactive Stories and Video Game Art (CRC Press 2017)—industry-endorsed books on game art, and interactive storytelling that explore the intersections between traditional craft and interaction design.
Chris has 15+ years of teaching experience, and his light-hearted and mindful teaching style ensures that all participants comfortably enter the playful spirit necessary for game design—irrespective of experience and background.
Affiliations
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Chris is a member of the advisory board for the EU-funded EPIC-WE project, which aims to empower kids across Europe to create games about self-expression and cultural heritage.
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Chris mentored novice Indian game designers in creating mini-games that preserve endangered Indian cultures and mythology for the World of Us game platform—a virtual theme park for kids designed by representatives from regions like Congo, Romania and Brazil.
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Chris is a long-time collaborator with this innovative transmedia collective—exploring India's multicultural heritage through the Antara video game project.
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Workshop Testimonials
3-Day Workshop FAQ
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Workshop topics
Key topics explored in the workshop include:
- How do game mechanics affect the player’s body and emotions for artistic effect, and how can we use this knowledge for self-expression and digital empathy?
- What expressive qualities do video games have that they inherit and surpass from traditional arts?
- How can individuals, kids and cultural groups engage in game co-creation?
- How can game design convey intangible culture and tradition?
- How can games meaningfully engage with mental health and disability?
- What roles do games play in traditional museum settings?
- In the age of A.I., the metaverse and digital games, how can we playfully connect with the tactile world around us?
- What role does paper prototyping and “body-storming” play in the development process for digital games?
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Day 1
Morning – Gaming’s Cultural Heritage
Participants are introduced to the design fundamentals of composition and shape language. They will also explore identity, self-expression, games as art, objectives of play, and how games affect the player’s body and emotions. The lesson includes active exercises designed to encourage a playful attitude, and familiarise participants with sensory design and gaming’s cultural heritage.
Afternoon – First Game + Digital Empathy
With a strong foundation in the expressive value of games and interactive media, participants will actively dive into the game design process to create their first game. They are provided with a practical method for initiating the creative process of designing a game, along with tools for maintaining an overview of the player’s experience (UX). The guided assignment includes a definition of game design and an introduction to game design basics.
The afternoon session concludes with insights into how the digital world and games affect the player’s body and emotions—deepening participants’ understanding of digital empathy and embodiment for artistic effect.
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Day 2
Morning – Game Design (1/2)
Day 2 builds on the topics from Day 1, providing a more comprehensive overview of game design principles. Topics include game components, affordances, rules, game mechanics, objectives, and game balancing—all framed within the context of shape language, embodiment, and empathy.
Participants are invited to assemble, play, and discuss a series of games using conventional game components. They are encouraged to adapt and experiment with game structures in preparation for personal projects. Games explored include using the body as a game component, as well as dice and playing cards. Assignments are designed to help participants think differently about everyday objects and how they might be incorporated into games.
Afternoon – Game Design (2/2)
The afternoon session continues with exercises from the morning, expanding into more complex topics such as level design and Chess-like games. The session concludes with discussions on documenting game design concepts, testing and iteration, and body-storming.
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Day 3
Morning – Disability Aesthetics + Game Conception (1/2)
Now that participants are familiar with paper prototyping and game mechanics, assignments progress to disability aesthetics, exploring game concepts that go beyond neurotypical and able-bodied perspectives. Participants are then introduced to their main assignment: creating an original game using a sensory object with personal value. They can choose to work individually or in teams.
Afternoon – Game Conception (2/2)
Participants continue the conceptualisation and development of their final project. The broader meaning of shape language is explored, along with tips on setting a clear direction (avoiding “blank page” syndrome), using music to generate sensory ideas, and applying the unreliable gamemaster design strategy to heighten player engagement and curiosity.
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Skill level
Assignments are accessible and screen-free, with a focus on paper prototyping and body-storming. No previous game design experience is necessary, nor knowledge of coding.
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Materials
Coloured pencils, marker pens, A4 paper, cardboard, dice, assortment of geometric forms, scissors, sellotape, masking tape, mobile phone, etc.
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Terms & Conditions
1. Payment & Refunds
- Refunds are available if requested at least 15 days before the workshop.
- No refunds once the workshop has started, except in cases of serious unforeseen circumstances (e.g., medical emergencies). Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. Intellectual Property & Recording
- Recording, redistributing, or sharing workshop content (including screenshots) is strictly prohibited.
- All course materials, exercises, and recordings (if provided) are copyrighted and for personal use only.
3. Technical Requirements & Responsibilities
- Participants are responsible for ensuring they have a stable internet connection and the required software/tools before the session. No refunds will be given for technical issues on the participant’s end.
4. Conduct & Participation
- Respectful behavior is expected. Disruptive participants may be removed from the session without a refund.
5. Cancellations & Rescheduling
- If the workshop is canceled or rescheduled by the instructor, participants will be offered a full refund or a credit for a future session.
The gallery below illustrates a sample of the exciting games that have been developed using the Kinaesthetic Time Capsules method, covering topics relating to sensory design, digital empathy, mental health, neurodiversity, disability, HCI, and embodiment, while avoiding typical conflict-based game mechanics.
Workshop Showcase
English (UK) 
Deutsch (Schweiz)