Ep. 11: Beyond Wargames - How Serious Games Drive Government Innovation

Episode 11 November 28, 2024 01:12:47
Ep. 11: Beyond Wargames - How Serious Games Drive Government Innovation
Tension
Ep. 11: Beyond Wargames - How Serious Games Drive Government Innovation

Nov 28 2024 | 01:12:47

/

Show Notes

In this episode, Donna Dupont interviews Madeline Johnson, a Senior Analyst with the Canada Revenue Agency’s Fraud Red Team and a seasoned expert in the field of serious games. Madeline’s unconventional career path—from international diplomacy to designing games that solve complex problems for the government—gives her a unique perspective on how serious games can drive real-world change.

Madeline explains how serious games differ from traditional wargames, unpacking their power to simulate complex scenarios, reveal unexpected solutions, and support decision-making in high-stakes environments. We explore how serious games can help governments tackle issues like fraud, systemic risk, and other non-armed conflict challenges. Madeline also shares insights into the creativity and analytical thinking behind game design and analysis, demonstrating how these games are far more than play—they’re powerful tools for understanding and addressing society’s toughest problems.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions on strategic and serious gaming, as well as any comments on organizational actions expressed by Madeline Johnson are hers alone and reflect her experience. They do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of Global Affairs Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency, or of the Government of Canada.

 

About This Episode's Guest:

Madeline Johnson is a Senior Analyst with the Canada Revenue Agency’s Fraud Red Team.  She joined the CRA in May 2023 after serving as a Canadian diplomat for 13 years. Since 2018, she has been involved with serious games, finding deep satisfaction in their ability to spark creativity and provide valuable insights. Madeline views games as powerful processes for supporting the government to mitigate uncertainty in decision-making.

 

Links & Resources:

-

Show Notes

Become a supporter on ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/aodnetwork/tiers)!

Tension is in Feedspot’s 5 Best Canadian Design Podcasts! (https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_design_podcasts/) 


Follow AOD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aodnetwork/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AODnetwork
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aodnetwork
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xKsTAN86Nx 


Previous AOD Content


Credits

Host: Donna Dupont
Editor: Mikhial Gurarie
Graphic Designer: Habiba Elgendy
Producer: Thomas Changarathil

Other Episodes

Episode 8

August 02, 2024 00:21:20
Episode Cover

Ep. 8: Project Inner Alliance - Designing a Social Impact Game Focusing on Cultural Evolution, Inclusivity and Team Cohesion

Our host Donna Dupont interviews Kassie Miedema to discuss the power of social impact games to support learning goals, behaviour change and positive social...

Listen

Episode 5

August 28, 2023 00:38:30
Episode Cover

Ep. 5: Forecasting vs. Foresight

Host Philippe Beaulieu-Brossard in conversation with guests Balkan Devlen and Donna Dupont, engaging the tensions between Forecasting vs. Foresight. Tension is a podcast produced...

Listen

Episode 1

March 26, 2021 00:35:49
Episode Cover

Ep. 1: Deliberate vs Emergent Strategic Design in the COVID Context

Host Philippe Beaulieu-Brossard in conversation with guests Ofra Graicer and Robin Holt engaging the tension between Deliberate vs. Emergent Strategic Design in the context...

Listen