Creativity with Sharp Corners
2024-06-10
Creativity includes the ability to create with whatever tools are available. If you have a creative streak you can make something out of the contents of your cupboard, from paper and pens, from games which are not supposed to be creative tools but something to be consumed.
This came up in the discussion of creativity by Emily Horgan at the #CultureCrush+ event hosted by the Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet on June 6th in Dublin. Kids are naturally curious and creative. They can, and will play with a stick and create stories around it. So it makes sense that, without access to extensive media tools, that they would create their own stories using games like Roblox, just like the Red vs Blue guys created scenes and sketches using the Halo games.
Roblox is a game engine and a game creation system. You can make your own 3 dimensional game level and record your actions in it. Or create a virtual environment and have your characters acting in it. It's amazing what you can do when you are constrained.
If all you have is a hammer…
And the ability to do things with a limited tool set is useful over all. The odd thing about Roblox is that, much like Minecraft , it was a metaverse-ish light system. Which means that it might be the best working metaverse that we have right now.
And its something that IKEA are looking at.
Long ago companies would create virtual environments in SecondLife (it's still around I think). Ikea are creating a virtual store in Roblox, and are hiring people in Ireland and the UK to work various paid roles in it. Apply or read their own post.
Ten candidates will be selected to work in different sections of the store, interact with customers (it's not clear if the customers are other players or in-game characters) and have a chance to win exclusive Roblox UGCs.
The game starts on June 24th, and hiring closes on June 16.
While this is not aimed at kids, I can confirm that the kids I knew playing Roblox, are old enough to work in the store now. Our most practical Virtual Reality might be a lot blockier than anticipated. We will soon see a game version of Horrorstor. Or maybe a Roblox set workplace comedy.
