This term we’ll be diving into the vast world of urban and pervasive games. 

There are over 225 Wohnstraßen in Vienna: Residental streets in which playing is officially allowed on the streets. The reality is a bit more bleak: Most of these Wohnstraßen in Vienna are not distinguishable from normal streets. 

Two of them are Bäckerstraße and Sonnenfelsgasse, located in the first district. In this course we will playfully examine and explore those two streets and the immediate surrounding area. We'll investigate how streets in the middle of the city are being used and come up with counter-strategies, practices & usecases.

The aim of this course is to declare those two streets as our playing field and come up with games for them. 

Students will get theoretical and historical  information and input about urban and pervasive games. They will learn how to use game mechanics and playful approaches in artistic practices and will get to play already existing urban games. 

This course will be held in English. 

Dates TBT soon!

active participation

game design document for an urban game 

playable prototype 

Requiered Reading: 

Montola, Markus (2005): Exploring the Edge of the Magic Circle. Defining Pervasive Games. DAC 2005 conference, December 1.-3. IT University of Copenhagen. pdf

Stenros, J., Waern, A., & Montola, M. (2012). Studying the Elusive Experience in Pervasive Games. Simulation & Gaming, 43(3), 339-355.