GAMEHEARTS in a nutshell
The GAMEHEARTS project focuses on unlocking and accelerating the economic, social, and cultural potential of the game industry - mainly through cross-industry cooperation. Researchers from WUEB leaded by prof. Patrycja Klimas investigate the value co-creation, value transfer, and co-innovation processes between video game developers (or the broader European Video Game Industry Ecosystem; EVGIE) and other Cultural and Creative industries (CCI). To map and understand the mechanisms behind creating new sources of value - be it cultural, social, economic, or technological - the WUEB team employed a mixed-method approach covering: literature and industry report systematic reviews, comparative case studies, in-depth interviews, a pan-European survey, and four design thinking marathons (DTthons). At Wroclaw University of Economics and Business the GAMEHEARTS project is implemented by the following research team: prof. Patrycja Klimas (lead), Joanna Radomska, PhD, Dawid Kościewicz, PhD, Gabriela Strzelec, PhD, Sylwia Wrona, PhD, Aleksandra Szpulak, PhD, Monika Hajdas, PhD, and Michał Nadolny, PhD.
GH DTthons
DTthons were 4 three-day research-driven events grounded in design thinking methodology . Each of the 4 DTthons revolved around one central design challenge: How can the EVGIE work more effectively with the CCI to create benefits for both sides? Participants engaged creatively, working with a range of canvases and tools (e.g., trends & benchmarks, stakeholder mapping, structured interviews using the critical incident technique, user insights, cooperation paths, feedback matrices), relying heavily on interaction and covering the canvas with colorful post-its capturing ideas, insights, and feedback notes.
Heterogeneity of cognitive perspectives
Each DTthon gathered representatives from both EVGIE and CCI, who co-worked in 3 interdisciplinary teams. Their task was not only to address the design challenge but also to co-develop strategic recommendations for policymakers, organizations, and businesses. The national editions were organized in 3 cites: Wrocław (at Wroclaw University of Economics and Business), Warsaw (in cooperation with the Creative Industries Development Centre and with the support of Ministry of Culture and National Heritage), and Katowice (with the patronage of City of Katowice and support from Municipal Business Incubator Rawa.Ink).
The final – international – edition included 16 participants from 7 European countries (UK, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, and Poland) representing both European game developers and project beneficiaries including City Football Group, Imperial War Museums, London Symphony Orchestra, Universität Wien, University of Salford, Breda University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University, and Wroclaw University of Economics and Business.
Altogether, 71 participants joined the DTthons, representing diversified activities and industries (video game development, game publishing, gaming media, hardware production, museums, music, animation, literature, archives, sports, government, NGOs, academia, and gaming communities). The 12 working teams were coordinated and supported by 6 certified facilitators from Innovative Solutions Design Center DT HUB.
The result? A set of 12 heterogeneous working teams developed 12 original proposals outlining pathways for effective EVGIE–CCI cooperation, along with a rich pool of strategic recommendations. A full report will be published in open access via in Zenodo repository until the end of August 2025.
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The GAMEHEARTS project is funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement ID: 101132543) and runs from 2024 to 2026. The research consortium includes teams from Universität Wien, The University of Salford, Breda University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University, and Wroclaw University of Economics and Business. Additionally, the project involves key representatives from cultural and creative industries central to GAMEHEARTS namely, City Football Group, Imperial War Museums, London Symphony Orchestra, and Ubisoft.
