Worker placement games are beloved by modern board gamers. The act of placing cubes or discs in factories or farms to increase production and profit is certainly enticing, but what do the workers want? Are they being played? What if we instead make games that promote worker rights? In this two-day workshop, we explore the role of workers in boardgames through play and presentations.

Morningside Academy for Design and MIT Game Lab invite you to a Two-Day Workshop . Each day begins with a presentation followed by playing of games curated by the MIT Game Lab. On Thursday, Mikael Jakobsson from MIT Game Lab will talk about workers in board games from a critical design perspective. On Friday, John du Bois, the designer of the game Striking Flint will talk about why and how he makes games. Come and play with us!

Thursday Jan 30
12-1pm Presentation Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/91287160644
Mikael Jakobsson "Playing Workers – The Mechanics and Politics of Worker Representation in Board Games"
1-5pm Gameplay with John Du Bois and the MIT Game Lab

Friday Jan 31
10-11am Presentation Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/92614107506
A Conversation with John Du Bois hosted by Mikael Jakobsson
11am-5pm Gameplay with John Du Bois and the MIT Game Lab

More information about the presentations: 
https://gamelab.mit.edu/iap-2025-playing-workers-the-mechanics-and-politics-of-worker-representation-in-board-games/