Ein experimentelles kulturwissenschaftliches Labor für das analoge imaginative Spiel: Konzept, Aufbau und Praxis des Bonn Lab for Analog Games and Imaginative Play

The Bonn Lab for Analog Games and Imaginative Play (LAGIP) functions as an interdisciplinary research and teaching hub at the University of Bonn, dedicated to the rigorous study of analog gaming as a cultural technique. By positioning tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) as sophisticated "story engines" and an "art of agency," the lab explores how imaginative play serves as a vital medium for experimenting with human experience and social interaction. The primary thesis posits that analog games are not merely recreational activities but evolving, collaborative platforms that allow participants to navigate complex social dynamics, power structures, and (post-)colonial narratives within a protected, ludic environment.

Operating as a humanities laboratory, the initiative bridges academic theory with practical application through a praxeological approach. This methodology integrates hands-on gameplay sessions with scholarly discourse, moving beyond traditional gamification to utilize play as a tool for critical thinking, inclusivity, and knowledge dissemination. By examining TTRPGs as dynamic, remixable media, the lab fosters a unique academic space where the boundaries of play are continuously challenged and redefined. This experimental framework encourages participants to engage with games as sites for both personal transformation and broader societal reflection.

The scope of this work encompasses the contemporary landscape of analog gaming, with a specific emphasis on the globalized design and diversification of TTRPGs. Under the leadership of Professor Adrian Hermann, the lab serves as an "experimentarium" that informs higher education, public outreach, and academic research. By documenting the intersection of imaginative play and cultural studies, the project establishes a sustainable model for investigating how shared, ludic realities can facilitate deeper understanding of human agency and social structures in the modern era.