<< Back to EBOW overview

Local games and neighborhood stories have their own authoring tools and operational infrastructure. We find that the right tool may be unexpected — and require some design tactics to recognize, or even to discover its possibilities beyond the limited imagination of commercial tools. We value approaches that are easy to author and widely-accessible to use or play.

1. Imagine what’s possible: See our recipe book, tasting menu, photos, or prior projects created with Hive Mechanic. Considering co-design? Look into how workshops might go. 2. Narrative: * Planning with post-its for a branching story (animated). Aim for Minimum Viable Joy (MVJ)! * Tactics for engagement and recruiting: QR code inspirations and mini-tactics to boost engagement 3. Carving Time & Roles: * Team formation and balancing responsibilities, including with Hive Mechanic * Carving time and creating momentum * Partnerships for new projects: Tips for Starting the Conversation, Planning, and Sustainability (coming soon!) 4. How to playtest your activity or story 5. Advanced/Open-Ended: Pick your Technology: Activities to “Bake Your Idea” in Three Steps. This thought exercise will help focus your idea, and turn it from good to great for our particular tools and the power of playful engagement.

(a) Telephony tools (voice, SMS, MMS): Currently, most newcomers are using our guide to Twilio Studio, or if you have someone who can set up a server, download our fancy Hive Mechanic authoring system. You can also browse our list alternatives to Hive Mechanic, with plenty of commercial tools – including for scavenger hunts. (b) Surprising technology: imagine differently by exploring a few low-tech projects – including yard sign media, puppet-master SMS, wayfinding stories, and photography hunts with semi-public groups; some of these are also listed in our recipe book (c) Embedded computing: Your experience can respond to the physical world, including as a storytelling box, kiosk, or sensor — from motion sensors to RFID taps and more. It could happen in a makerspace, a museum exhibit, or at the front desk of a library. The physical device can even be in contact with one of our Hive Mechanic servers (optional). We have experimented with reimagined payphones, city-wide storytelling systems, and kiosks powered by tiny Raspberry Pi computers. See our embedded computing tools page, or browse one storytelling box component assembly —- p.s. – For more on Hive Mechanic, check out our Card Dictionary Slides (includes editor tips); basic certification and short video tutorials