Melbourne University’s new student-run games library brings much-needed joy to the heavy subjects of climate collapse and inequality, using play as a vehicle for imagining futures grounded in justice and collaboration.
There’s a line that pops up from time to time on social media, on cardboard at rallies, in art prints: joy is an act of resistance. Its true origins are in The Telly Cycle, a poem by Black poet Toi Derricotte, and has since been embraced by activists the world over as a vital reminder that joy is as central to the work of taking apart oppressive systems as rage, pain and fear.
This spirit is integral to the University of Melbourne’s very first student-run board games library. Spearheaded by student environmental leader Sholihah Rahmatunnisa Utami, the games library has emerged from the desire to find new ways to connect people and share information about systemic issues, such as capitalism and climate change.
The library launched in September with an opening event, Play for the Planet, which featured a panel of radical board game designers followed by a chance for the audience to try out some of the games firsthand.
“I’ve always loved how games manage to do what regular classes often can’t: simply make people engaged and learn through exciting ways,” Shol says.
“I’m a firm believer that learning should feel less like a task and more like a fun discovery. When I found out there are tons of clever and thought-provoking environmental games out there, I thought, why not make them free and accessible for everyone to play whenever they want?”
The games library has kicked off with dozens of climate and system-change focused games including Daybreak, Carbon City Zero, and Flow Form, alongside nature-focused classics such as Wingspan and Stardew Valley.
Recognising the value of play when it comes to system change, Hothouse donated an extensive collection of board games, including Hothouse Founder Matt Bray’s very own Gas Tycoon.
You’ll find few people who will argue that board games aren’t fun.
But much more than that, they’re opportunities to connect with each other via collaboration or competition, engage with new ideas, and imagine what a different world could look like.
As Shol explains, it is the experience of joy that opens the door to deep engagement.
“People often think of games as mere entertainment, but they also bring people together across differences, turn abstract systems into beautiful designs and captivating story lines, and give us safe experimental spaces to imagine the world differently.
“They repackage big problems into something playable, something we can argue over, take risks on, fail (repeatedly) at, laugh about, and learn from,” she says.
Games are fun, yes – but they are also vehicles for imagination, hope and collaboration: the very experiences we need to create futures grounded in justice.
Since its launch, the board game library has already hosted a successful second event, bringing together students across faculties to explore big ideas and collaborate to create and road-test new outcomes in the imaginative space of play.
Shol is optimistic about the future of the games library and its potential to inspire students and challenge existing ideas about the world we live in.
“Through this library, I hope to create a space where students can experiment, think critically, play collaboratively, and most importantly, have fun.”
“I hope they walk away with new ideas, perspectives, wisdom, and maybe even a few new friends.”
In the face of climate collapse and rampant capitalism, we forgot that the solution really is that simple. Connection, collaboration and a bit of fun: the vital ingredients to get us out of this mess.
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