Research through games design

Bates, Oliver and Kirman, Ben and Smith, Marcia Tavares and Green, David Philip (2026) Research through games design. In: DRS 2026 :. Design Research Society. (In Press)

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Abstract

Games are common artefacts and systems for design research, appearing as engagement tools with publics or specific audiences, expressions of ideas, and as tools for speculation. Games have proven value as instruments or outputs supporting this work, but the process of designing games is rarely centered as a moment of production of new knowledge and understanding. Taking inspiration from Research through Design more broadly, we position Research through Game Design as an approach that delineates space to challenge systems, break from norms, provoke, critique, explore, experiment, critically design, and reflect on the frictions and boundaries of ideas, artefacts, and systems. This paper is for people interested in, or who already are, designing games as part of their research. Through four games it explores what research looks like during the game design process, and how knowledge and insight from within that process can be captured and communicated.