Local Fit: A Framework for Stronger Communities

Strong places aren't accidents; they can (and often need) to be organized. In this chapter, I show how games can tap into the science of making communities stronger. Yet the ability to make a positive impact—and avoid displacing local culture—depends on whether the game aligns with the community that already exists. I call this the game's local fit, and in this chapter, I provide a simple way to measure it. Fit is a prerequisite for respecting the past, but it is also pragmatic in the present—i ncluding for recruiting, for increasing impact on network goals, and for spreading games horizontally across cities.