GadgetMatch Facilitation Guide
Setup Instructions
Number of players
Each set of GadgetMatch can support between three and five players. If you have more players than that you can use several sets at the same time, and run the games together in the same room. We recommend having at least one facilitator per set that you are using if possible, but an experienced facilitator can run up to three sets at the same time
Setting up the room
A game of GadgetMatch requires a table that all the players can sit around comfortably.
Setting up the tables
On each table you should put the GadgetMatch deck with the Challenges and Technology cards separated into their respective piles and shuffled. Give each player a reference card.
Player safety
The GadgetMatch stories are based on real experiences. Care should be taken to ensure that players can take a break from the game, and decompress afterwards. There is also potential for some of the stories to be triggering if players have experience of the themes. Encourage players to look after themselves and those around them while playing the game.
Teaching the game
Approach
Your approach to teaching the game can change depending on how many facilitators you have. If you have just on facilitator, then we would suggest doing most of the game explanation to the whole group, and then helping at individual tables as required. If you have two or more facilitators, then you may be able to do an overview to the whole group, and then do some additional explanation at each table.
Briefing the players
You should begin by describing the game, what it is designed to do, and how it is structured. You should explain the central mechanism. You should describe the turn structure.
We have created a PowerPoint presentation which you can use to help you brief players.
Running the game
We have produced a short video to help you learn about facilitating GadgetMatch.
After the game
Debrief and discussion
An important part of serious games is the reflection on what happened. In a large game it is not possible for any one player to experience everything that happened. Taking time to share stories and reflections will make the activity a more powerful learning tool. You can spend anywhere between 10 minutes and half an hour on a debrief, but 20 minutes will often be enough.
Decompress
The game is an intense experience, and people can be affected by the emotions and stories in the game. Encourage people to take a moment to step away from that experience, to take time if they need it, or to talk about it with others. Check that everyone is ok.