Projek Dialog

Otak Jam

OTAK JAM

OTAK JAM

This project was funded by Internews with the goal of increasing the youth’s understanding of their role as stakeholders in advocating for freedom of expression, as well as strengthen their capacity and that of civil society’s to advocate more effectively for freedom of expression. Projek Dialog’s role is to come up with a creative solution for this goal.

Projek Dialog achieved this goal through board-game based guided discussions, workshops, and forums where university students and communities are able to discuss FoE issues in an engaging and safe environment, with expert facilitation from trained student facilitators. The Otak Jam! board game is a collaboration with Codenames Malaysia and Orangutan Games.

The game delves into sensitive concepts such as human rights, political activism, race and religion, LGBTQ identities, sex education and restrictive laws on freedom of expression in a safe space where students can actively participate and engage with other students on these topics, while encouraging critical thinking about the information they consume.

Otak Jam! game pack designed by ART:TECH / www.artistechnology.com

the stats

the stats

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influencers involved in marketing campaign
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social media post shares from influencer marketing campaign (reaching Kelantan and Terengganu)
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participating board game cafes nationwide (including Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang, Penang)
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board gaming sessions over a weekend
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unique gamers
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recipients of game giveaway
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student facilitators trained both in gameplay facilitation and freedom of expression principles (how to responsibly and safely hold discussions on sensitive topics such as legislative reform, censorship and the ongoing reform process in the country)

INFLUENCERS

INFLUENCERS

AIN NABILA

VIKAR WORLD

RAHA AZLAN

DJ SINGH

ELENA LAUREL

SASHA AMIRA

TANESH

CHINE PAIYEN

A-KID

JOSHUA MICHAEL

ANDREA GLORIE

WENDY TEH

BRIE

Testimonials

"At the end of the session, most players said they came out of the session learning something new (Khalwat, Hakka) and are less afraid to talk about/learn topics that might be considered sensitive."
Vivae Board Game Cafe
"The players from the previous night did not know what Temuan was, so their clue was "meeting". The new players knew it referred to an indigenous group and educated our old players from the last night."
Zooreka
"Player A: What? A guy can’t be a feminist, it’s only for girls. Player B: A guy CAN be a feminist." (They eventually became friends after the game)
Zooreka
"Some of the participants asked if homosexuality in Malaysia was illegal. Other participants thought that animism was an organisation that protects animals."
Terra Mystical Board Game Cafe
"One player gave a clue to Orang Asli as "race", which started a discussion on both teams, 'does Orang Asli count as a race?'"
Upper Room Board Game Cafe
"Many people did not know that Mak Yong is a traditional dance in Kelantan and someone asked if animism has something to do with Japanese anime. Many also did not know about the Sedition Act and how it affects the individual, who the Bajau people are and where they're from; some think that "infidel" is the same as "atheist", and some do not know the difference between "polyamory" and "polygamy"."
Upper Room Board Game Cafe
"It made me realise that we've been taking for granted [some] of these words. Like we've heard of it before but never knew the meaning of these words."
Meeples
"I don't know most of these words. And I like this game 'cause I get the opportunity to learn without being judged."
Meeples
"I've played Codenames before and the Otak Jam! version is much more challenging. It gets me thinking creatively with these words I don't know and relay clue(s) that my partner might understand what I'm trying to say. And I like how we get to discuss what these words are post-game."
Meeples
"Another player stated he “always thought refugees were criminals who ran away from their original countries”, and came to understand the struggles of refugees with oppression and war after having a discussion"
Playergy Board Game Cafe
"A lot of participants were unaware of terms like Malayali and Temuan, some even didn't know Sikh. However they were aware of Orang Asli and Indians , which shows that on a surface level Malaysians do have knowledge of the diversity of the races around them, just that they may not yet be able to grasp how much diversity there actually is."
Cardboard Tabletop
Player A: "Animisme we remember that word from Sejarah but what was it ah?" Player B: “There the “Ti pai pai – tien pai pai” (translated to “Pray to sky – pray to land)"
Centlus Board Game Cafe
“Please I wanna get the copy of this game”
Hex A Box
“This game brings out your inner gamer.”
Upper Room Board Game Cafe
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