Events

Discover the hidden corners of the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus with Playful Paths, an alternate reality game (ARG) that blends exploration, creativity, and game research. Designed as mobile-friendly experience, where players are invited to create a small pixel-art vignette to download and share online, this interactive game introduces players to the world of design and development through the lens of MAGPIE’s work.

What to expect:
Playful Paths requires a smart phone or tablet, and takes place across five locations in and around the Parkville campus. Please note that some parts of the game involve locations accessible during the following opening hours:

• Science Gallery: Wednesday to Saturday, 11:00am-5:00pm
• The System Garden: Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm

Other locations of the game are accessible throughout the day.

The full experience including optional mini games takes around two hours, but it is not necessary to complete it all in one go. Participants are welcome to explore the different locations at their own pace over two weeks from 14 to 30 November.

Finish the game to receive a reward! Collect your DISTRACTION Special Edition Holographic Sticker from the Science Gallery front desk. Further instructions will be provided in the confirmation email.

The Melbourne Academic Games, Play and Interactive Entertainment (MAGPIE) initiative supports interdisciplinary research, teaching, leadership and industry engagement in the field of game studies, including game design, play processes, player communities, narrative design, and creative technology industry cultures.

Learn to write the way that people did in Ancient Greece and Rome! In this hands-on workshop for kids aged 8-12, discover how writing worked in Ancient Greece and Rome before pens and textas were invented. Turn a reed into a brush, write on papyrus, and explore ancient alphabets and letters. Everyone takes home their own ancient-style writing tool and creation.

What to expect:
A 60-minute hands-on experience where all materials will be provided.

Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult. Each “General Admission” ticket admits one child (aged 8-12) and one adult companion. To include another child aged 8-12 in the workshop, please add an “Additional Child Participant” ticket. If an extra adult wishes to attend, please add an “Additional Adult Companion” ticket.