Description Long

The game consists of a set of colour-coded cards containing statements and questions related to the workshop topic.

Pink = Challenges / current situation (pain points)

Yellow = Constructive elements (what works, what generates positive energy)

Blue = Future visions (new or out-of-the-box ideas – potentially wild)

Green = Tipping-point questions: These cards pose thought-provoking questions that lead to a pair of dual-colour cards – one red, one orange – each offering a response that is not clear-cut.

Example of a tipping-point question:

Imagine that in five years’ time, everyone receives an implanted chip that automatically translates all languages in real time. You speak in your native language, but others hear your natural voice in theirs. How would that make you feel?

– Red card: Great! I can finally speak with everyone. The world will be a better place, with no language barriers – making integration much easier.

– Orange card: A pity! Language is a carrier of culture. Erasing it would mean losing valuable opportunities for mutual understanding.

The aim is to present players with a dilemma that isn’t easy to resolve – and to spark meaningful discussion.

How the game works: Players roll the dice and move their playing pieces forward on the board. They land on a card and respond to the question or challenge it presents. When a green card is drawn, they must choose between the red and orange responses and explain their choice. While progress across the board is quick, the discussions around players’ decisions tend to take time.

The Fast Forward Future Game can be played in different formats. One version uses fully pre-written content – with all tipping-point questions and answer cards already prepared, while the remaining cards offer inspiration. Alternatively, some cards (e.g. the blue ones) can be left blank, allowing players to create their own visions of the future. Another approach invites participants to work in pairs to write their own cards and then play the co-created game together in a plenary session.

Preparation

• The FaFoFuGa requires a deep engagement with the workshop topic. However, it also provides a strong foundation that can be used beyond the workshop itself.
• The workshop facilitators should prepare by filling in at least four cards of each colour as a test run. These can serve as examples or be used for an initial round of the game. Alternatively, the entire game can be designed in advance and played straight away.
• In a series of workshops, results from previous sessions can be sorted into the appropriate categories (Current situation/challenges – Constructive elements – Future visions – Tipping-point questions and responses).
• Provide cards in six colours (pink, yellow, blue, green, red, orange), along with dice and playing pieces.

Execution

As a stand-alone workshop:

• The full game is prepared in advance. Participants play and discuss in pairs (or in threes, with one person acting as facilitator), fill in blank cards with additional content, and select key outcomes (cards) at the end. Duration: 45 to 60 minutes.

In the Opening phase:

1. Test run using pre-prepared cards (30 minutes) in groups of three.
2. Prepare additional cards in pairs (20–30 minutes, at least seven cards per colour).
3. Shuffle the cards and play in new groups of six for 20 minutes (approx. 90 cards per table).
4. Select key cards for further work or implementation (15 minutes).

In the Closing phase:

1. Brief introduction to the game (10 minutes).
2. Distribute the topics developed in the earlier workshops across the groups (15 minutes).
3. Create cards in the five colours, tailored to the assigned topic, in groups of three (approx. 9 cards per colour, 30 minutes).
4. Shuffle the cards and play in new groups of six (approx. 90 cards per table, 30 minutes).
5. Select key cards for further work or implementation (15 minutes).

Hints from experience

• Be well prepared!

Tools list

• Papier cards (blank)

References

If you have any questions, feel free to contact julie(at)harboe.ch.