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Uncover the inspiring Solarpunk movement in our latest article, where we explore a future where technology and nature coexist for a sustainable, diverse, and resilient world. Dive into this optimistic vision that counters dystopian narratives and inspires hope for the younger generations.

Is there a more hopeful way to see the future? Can we see beyond the dystopian narrative that floods our devices every day? Well, there just might be something that can help. Something that asks us what if technology served us better?

In an era where the idea of a dystopian future has become increasingly prevalent, Solarpunk emerges as a beacon of hope and positivity. This concept, contrasting the popular "high tech, low life" theme of Cyberpunk, envisions a future where technology and nature coexist harmoniously. It's an idea that resonates deeply with our current societal needs - sustainability, community, diversity, and resilience.The Solarpunk movement is more than just a literary genre; it's a cultural phenomenon that has found expression in books, games, and movies. This worldview presents an optimistic, innovative future where technology serves to enhance, not deplete, our natural environment. It's a narrative that inspires us to believe in a better tomorrow, one where we work alongside nature, not against it.As we navigate through these challenging times, it's crucial to share these hopeful narratives with the younger generation. By introducing them to Solarpunk, we offer a vision filled with creativity and the possibility of a better world. These stories have the power to inspire action and foster a mindset geared towards building a future that prioritizes harmony between technology and the environment.In our latest video, we delve into the world of Solarpunk, exploring its principles and how it stands as a necessary counter-narrative to the 21st-century's pessimism. We invite you to watch and join us in contemplating a future where the dreams of today shape a brighter, greener, and more inclusive tomorrow. Let's embark on this journey together, reimagining what our world could become with Solarpunk as our guiding light.

Digital Futures refers to the possibilities, advancements, and potential outcomes of technology and digital innovations in shaping our future society.

Digital Futures

Demystifying Solarpunk: A Vision for Tomorrow's World

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Discover the collaborative journey of Veronica, Game Producer for the World of Us, as she shares insights from her experience and the innovative approach behind the game.

Meet Veronica Stroever, and get access-all-areas insights from our Game Producer

Since joining the TALES, Veronica has led the team to all sorts of milestones. Our Game Producer, responsible for keeping this epic project on the move, sat with us to discuss the World of Us, what it means and how they contribute to the collaboration.&nbsp; “I used to work at Rockstar Games, in their Performance Production department. During my time there, I worked very closely with the directors, writers, actors, engineers, and animators to help create audio environments and performances that would completely immerse a player. I quickly learned how much detail and effort goes into every single moment of a game.” So, how does the World of Us project stand up against one of the world’s best-known gaming companies? “This is my first time working on such a collaborative project. When I joined, I expected more rigidness with what TALES was asking the Digital Creators to make. Instead of giving them a list of what they needed to make for the WoU, we provided a generic list of assets as a guide of what can be featured in-game, but they were welcome to go ‘off book’ if they wanted.”World of Us is, as its name implies, a global project. And with this, some areas need to be navigated more carefully. “There are a lot of different time zones to keep in consideration.” Keeping track of the people is as important as keeping track of the work. “It’s important to make sure tasks are finished and milestones are achieved, but also that everyone has the support they need to do their job.” Thinking with such a global mindset has been part of Veronica’s way of living since childhood. “My parents are flight attendants, which allowed me and my sister to travel and experience as many different cultures and customs as possible from a very young age.”She’s been fortunate enough to understand the impact of the representation of local cultures. “We have trees and bushes coming from the Danube Delta and Kouilou, and flowers and animals from Acre and Kerala. This matches with what the Digital Creators saw on their trips, and the game is more authentic because of it.” While the World of Us may be a digital escape, the inspiration that has been drawn to create it stays as true as it can to local lore and landscapes. Why improve on the things we love, eh?No stranger to collaboration in her role, Veronica couldn’t hold back on the value of a strong team. “We would be lost without our Game Designer, Anna’s, brain! We can see from the assets being created what comes from allowing the team to have more input on what they create and why.” This way of working together isn’t the industry standard and that’s why we think it pushes the work to include even more insights and create a more well-rounded environment. “The experience is part of the learning process.” We couldn’t agree more.&nbsp;Coming from a background in entertainment, including Television Production, an educational game isn’t necessarily the most obvious next step. But that doesn’t stop her from dropping some excellent truth bombs. “You can teach more than one lesson with game design. For example, a mission can be as simple as finding 5 animals. The main “lesson” is that the player learns about different animals, but to find the animals it involves logic, deductive reasoning, and maybe even collaboration from other players.” But when it comes to a game designed to teach and enrich young minds there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. “The themes aren’t necessarily topics you’d learn in a classroom setting, sometimes they’re more subtle.” Nowadays, academic education takes precedence over a lot of emotional education. In World of Us, we’re looking to find a balance. “This game also teaches players how to communicate without using words. They will need to reach out to other children for help and trust that working with someone new can help them complete a puzzle or plant a seed.”&nbsp;And our final question, what would make this project a success? “We’d love it if a child in a grocery store is able to spot a fruit their avatar ate in the WoU. Then we know we’ve done our job.”A massive thank you to Veronica for allowing us to pick her brain. Next up on our 'WoU, Who?' agenda:&nbsp;Marcela Zanon who steadfastly holds the reins of Community and Engagement.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Education Games are interactive and enjoyable digital games designed to teach and reinforce educational concepts, skills, and knowledge in an engaging manner, helping learners retain information more effectively.

Educational Games

WoU, Who? 

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Examining the potential for digital platforms to offer a new, inclusive approach to museum learning, redefining how history and culture are taught to children.

Museums have been around for centuries but what does the future hold for these homes of history

When the World of Us game was being imagined we found ourselves coming back time and time again to the same question: Can you take the experience of learning in a museum and translate it into an online space for children? But that only left us faced with a larger discussion. If you can recreate museums online, is this the way forward?Home to history, museums have long been the guardians of knowledge. They allow the public to explore beyond borders and travel through time—sometimes over centuries. With all this culture housed in brick and mortar, the desire to expand its accessibility online is both tantalising and challenging.&nbsp;If you can’t see it, touch it, stare in awe at it, will the younger generations still engage with it?&nbsp;During our exploration we learned many things. Notably, we uncovered some underpinnings of traditional museums—particularly those in affluent cities—that might not always narrate an authentic truth. The journey of many artefacts to these establishments has been, at times, fraught with ethical dilemmas and a clouded history. Items that were once unknown are now being identified and better understood. And also, the introduction of modern moments in time that hold weight in the world as we know it now.&nbsp;In such instances, we pondered whether the digital realm offers a way to right these historical wrongs. Can new technology better narrate a more inclusive and truthful history, setting a new paradigm for future generations?In this series, we’re not just looking at the replacement of physical with virtual. We’re analysing the very essence of education, representation, and the experiences we want to impart to future generations.Before we can build something in the World of Us we have to best understand its strengths and weaknesses in the world we live in—IRL. Museum learning has only ever been imagined one way. We want to know what the future holds for these things of the past.&nbsp;

Reimagining Museums as Hubs of Digital Learning

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A problem shared is a problem halved, and we’ve learned that the same can be said in the world of cooperative gaming

What used to be hosted around the dining room table, transformed into a joystick-driven activity. Now, online access means players don’t have to be in the same room—or even the same country. But even remotely, gaming holds unique benefits.It’s no secret that co-op gaming has changed. For Millennials, this wave of digital collaboration began young and heavily shaped how we approach life’s many twists and turns. And despite it being around for many years, it is widely known that co-operative gaming is still a fan favourite today. Why? Because it’s a chance to team up, rather than to compete.&nbsp;No longer stuck together in a twist of cables, young people today can log in to team up, building friendships across seas in their mission to reach new limits.This wider worldly collaboration might seem distant, but its benefits go far beyond what they once could. Not only do children learn more about people from all corners of the globe but it creates a unique space for fostering teamwork and cooperation. Outside of the world online, this strength in a shared goal can lead to a better understanding of what our world sorely needs—connection and solutions. Check out our latest video to see the evolution of co-operative gaming so far.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Demystifying Co-Op Gaming

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Meet NOLA, the guiding light in the World of Us WoU game. Discover how our  in-game guide enriches player experience by blending education, companionship, and exploration in this immersive gaming world

As the World of Us grows, so does its population

Throughout life we lean on others to guide us. Whether this is with advice on which path to take or to teach us along the way, passing on information they can share about what might lay ahead. The best guides hold knowledge about the past and teach from experience.&nbsp;Much like the allies we look for in the real world, games have long provided guides. These guides can help you explore the game worlds, give you hints to complete levels, or steer you to hidden gems. In <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Alone_(video_game)">Never Alone</a>, the puzzle-platform adventure video game developed by Upper One Games and published by E-Line Media, spirits guide the game play. In games like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elder_Scrolls_V:_Skyrim">Skyrim</a> you can interact and change guides throughout the gameplay, each one providing you with special insights and skills to advance you.&nbsp;Our game is no exception.&nbsp;WoU needed a guide to take players by the hand and introduce them to the new world we’ve created. Our guide in WoU is there to educate and inform as well as provide a companion for players as they build confidence in connecting with others within the game. They are a host if you will, welcoming each guest into the game and helping them to find their way and to better understand how the World of Us came to be.&nbsp;&nbsp;The name of our wonderful new character? NOLA.&nbsp;Keep an eye out for more on NOLA as we continue to develop this fantastical being and bring WoU to life.

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Demystifying Solarpunk: A Vision for Tomorrow's World	Igor Morais and World of Us	Dec 27 2024	Digital Futures
WoU, Who?	World of Us and Veronica Stroever	Apr 10 2024	Educational Games
Reimagining Museums as Hubs of Digital Learning	World of Us	Mar 26 2024	Digital Futures
Demystifying Co-Op Gaming	Igor Morais and World of Us	Mar 25 2024	Educational Games
A New Player Has Entered the Game	World of Us	Mar 20 2024	Educational Games