Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 9.10
View of Ideagora, showing the “Rubicon” water feature which can be used as a graphic marker of the
Agree/Disagree vote in a meeting.
9.6.4 e
mergenT
u
sage
of
The
i
deagora
The water features in this version of an Ideagora were initially added for decorative purposes, to give the
environment one of the universal qualities desired in a public space, as discovered by William Whyte [16].
However, as this Ideagora was used on Alchemy Sims Grid, we discovered that they also served as visual
markers for guiding the process of getting a consensus at a meeting. The small “river” and bridge in the
middle of this Ideagora, could be declared the “River Rubicon” (in reference to Julius Caesar's historical
decision to make war on Rome and Pompey), and that all who agreed with the concept being discussed
should cross it, and gather on one side. Those who disagree would remain on the opposing side, perhaps
needing further convincing. Emergent usage in your Ideagora design is one of the things you should be look-
ing for and encouraging in your designs.
9.7 A BRIEF CONCLUSION
There is still a great need to be in the real “marketplace” every day, learning informally from elevator chats
and impromptu meetings. There is also a great desire from the working public to have more control over their
daily schedule. Creativity does not punch a time clock and having time to be in your familial/social network
provides emotional support in your hectic life and nourishes your spirit. The common thread between these
seemingly divergent needs is the desire to communicate ideas easily and clearly, no matter your location.
What if your mission is to design meeting spaces that develop and support clear communication, no matter
the time or place? Perhaps these environments have built-in multilingual translators or “speech-to-object”
(say “cube” and one appears) 3D tools. Maybe the user can take advantage of “phase shifting” in the space
and replay the media for people in another time zone. What if the new viewers could review and comment
with voice chat in a previous meeting? Perhaps they can add verbal “Post-its” into the content for the next
group to review? Let your imagination guide you as you design and build an Ideagora for your team.
