The transformative power of video games to address real-world challenges will be on full display this September, as Abertay University’s Applied Games Lab presents its Play for Good exhibition as part of the prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious festival of knowledge.
This is a significant and welcome inclusion, demonstrating the growing recognition of games as a powerful tool for social and cultural impact. The exhibition is a real-world showcase of the More Than Games philosophy, a core pillar of the work being done to build a more resilient and impactful games ecosystem in Scotland.
This is the second major games-focused event to be included in the festival, joining the ‘Unreal Pasts, Playful Presents’ panel discussion, which also explores the cultural impact of our medium.
The interactive exhibition will feature a range of innovative projects developed by artists, experimental game makers, and experience designers from the Abertay Game Lab. These are not traditional entertainment products, but digital and physical artefacts designed to tackle challenges in health, wellbeing, and social inclusion.
Projects on display at Play For Good, include:
- Virtual reality games used in rehabilitation and live performance.
- A tabletop game designed to explore themes of social inequality.
- Playful engagements with club culture and nature.
- A project using game development for digital youth inclusion.
- An experience that uses a bike as a game controller.
This is a fantastic opportunity for the wider Scottish games community, policymakers, and the public to see firsthand how the skills and technologies from our industry are being applied to create positive change. It’s a chance to move beyond the conversation and see tangible examples of applied games in action.
The Scottish Games Network strongly encourages everyone to visit this free, drop-in exhibition to support the incredible work being done at Abertay and to see the future of the More Than Games ecosystem.
Event Details:
- What: Play for Good (Exhibition)
- When: Saturday 6 September – Saturday 14 September 2025
- Where: The Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh
- Cost: Free, drop-in (but booking is essential)
For more information on the exhibition and the full ‘Curious’ festival programme, please visit the Royal Society of Edinburgh website.
Photo by lhon karwan on Unsplash