What strategies for enabling flow-critical play can be derived from the game design of Taskmaster?

Abstract

This paper responds to extant objections to the overrepresentation of flow theory in contemporary game design practices. Critical play design approaches that rely on a presumed subversive nature of play are threatened by the incentive structure of flow- based games design, which rewards players for diverting critical faculties towards optimisation. Reaching beyond commercial games media, this research conducts a case study of British television show Taskmaster's game design elements. It is concluded that the game played on Taskmaster grants players opportunities to freely choose between normative and non-normative play, and incorporates subsequent critical reflection on those experiences. Possible design directions derived from Taskmaster's production design are discussed.