Game of Light: Modeling Diversity Through Participatory Interaction.

Diversity is key to flourishing ecosystems. This paper describes Game of Light, an installation designed to encourage participatory interaction with crowds at CHI 2017. Extending Conway's classic Game of Life, this game adds support for multiple differentiated agents and continuous participant interaction during play. The interface is presented through the use of modular lanterns, which users can configure and install in a 6x6 grid. We developed various algorithms that govern how lanterns interact and animate based on their neighbours' configuration; and guided by this feedback, users work together to optimize the diversity of the space. A system on the backend simulates and drives the lantern animations, while controlling the actual physical grid. This installation consists of a tall wooden frame which suspends up to 36 lanterns. Through the use of this installation, we hope to encourage dialogue about the value of diversity in our daily lives.