Definition:
Speculative design is a creative methodology that imagines future possibilities by asking "what if" questions and constructing hypothetical scenarios. This approach allows designers to challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and explore alternative ways of thinking about current issues or emerging trends.
In the context of games, speculative design serves as a tool to explore potential futures, ideologies, or societal challenges through interactive and immersive experiences. Games built on speculative design principles can engage players by encouraging them to reflect on complex issues and consider alternate perspectives.
Alternative Futures:
Games can use speculative design to imagine possible futures shaped by societal, technological, or environmental changes. For example, Detroit: Become Human explores ethical dilemmas in a future with advanced artificial intelligence.
Encouraging Reflection:
Players are invited to think critically about the consequences of their choices. For instance, Papers, Please uses speculative scenarios to highlight the moral complexities of immigration and border control.
Interactive Storytelling:
By creating hypothetical scenarios, games can immerse players in narratives that challenge their understanding of ethics, power dynamics, and human behavior. Speculative design can foster empathy and awareness by placing players in unfamiliar roles or situations.
Exploration of Complex Issues:
Games designed with speculative elements can tackle real-world concerns, such as climate change (Eco), systemic oppression (We Are OFK), or cultural identity (Never Alone). These games act as simulations for players to engage with difficult topics in a safe and controlled environment.