Who We Are
The Bristol Digital Game Lab is a leader in the study and development of games for public good. Sited at the intersection of academia and the games industry and housed in the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, the Lab acts as a catalyst for thinking about and with games in the creative City of Bristol. Drawing on research from a radically diverse range of disciplines, the Lab interrogates the nature and impact of games. Our pioneering work encompasses game creation and research, conceptual game jams, knowledge exchange, and more. We developed the MA Games Design (Narrative) at the University of Bristol, the first programme dedicated to teaching narrative design for games, launching autumn 2026. The Lab is co-directed by Dr Richard Cole (Digital Futures) and Dr Michael Samuel (Film and TV).
What We Do
The Lab investigates the futures made possible through games, supporting the development of games as a public service. We are a connective infrastructure, working across sectors to achieve our vision. Since founding in September 2022, we have explored complex societal challenges using gamification, designed new ways to engage with cultural heritage and support mental health, and conducted large-scale studies into gaming audiences as part of collaborative R&D projects with industry. This practice-led, research-informed approach underpins our consultancy service as well as our educational programmes.
For more details about the founding principles of the Bristol Digital Game Lab you can read our first blog post, which was also published as a LinkedIn article.