Hjalmar Hach’s board game Photosynthesis (Blue Orange 2017), in which players control one of four varieties of tree competing to grow and spread their seeds in the sunlight of a small forest, is an early example of the growing number of nature themed board games. As a representation of a natural process, the game has met with mixed response with opinions ranging from Matt Thrower’s sense that Photosynthesis ‘creates a beautiful, circular mimic of a real ecosystem on the board’ (T3) to Sam Healey’s suggestion that it is ‘an abstract strategy game with an economy’ (The Dice Tower).

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In this workshop Paul Evans, Chloé Germaine and Paul Wake will discuss representations of nature, in this case trees, in the media, focussing on games and the ways that they simulate reality. Following the discussion, participants will be invited to play Photosynthesis and reflect on the experience. Are trees actually competitive? Let’s see!