We recently wrapped up a fun week of game-making with some fantastic young people in Chatham, collaborating with award winning Coney, an arts and social change charity. The project aims to build connections to local history through digital play.
The Chatham Book Monster: Unlocking a New Adventure
Families in Medway can now embark on an exciting, interactive journey into Chatham’s rich history, with the launch of The Chatham Book Monster during the Electric Medway festival who are one of our partners.
Hosted by mysterious new organisation ‘OCTOPUS’, based in Chatham Community Hub, this new digital trail invites visitors to explore Chatham’s mysterious past. Participants will begin their adventure by contacting ‘OCTOPUS,’ unlocking the first clue of the game that will lead them on a thrilling mission beyond the hub.
The adventurers will have to solve clues and uncover stories from Chatham’s surprising past, taking in tigers, unicorns, painted elephants and much more. Their mission: to stop The Chatham Book Monster and uncover the truth about OCTOPUS.
Commissioned by iCCi’s Docking Station and crafted by the interactive game specialists at Coney, The Chatham Book Monster promises a unique, family-friendly experience. Earlier this year, in July 2024, a group of 15 young people aged 8-13 from Medway collaborated with Coney and Docking Station to help shape the game. These local storytellers gathered fascinating tales from the area, influencing the design and direction of the final adventure.
The game launches on 25 October at Chatham Community Hub as part of the Electric Medway Festival. This will be the first time that the young people involved will experience the final game, and families from the local area can join the fun. The game is free of charge and is recommended for ages 8-13. It is designed for families to play together. The experience requires a smartphone to access the gaming website.
“This game is a fantastic way for families to connect with local stories and have an adventure together. Mobile phones are often seen as preventing families interacting and a barrier to learning. Here we are using Creative Technology to bring people together in a shared experience which is fun, social, and educational” – Will Draffin, Docking Station.
“We had such a great time over the Summer playing & making this exciting adventure with local young people that celebrates some fantastic local stories. It is full to the brim with games and challenges that will interest and excite the whole family and we can’t wait to welcome you to the world of OCTOPUS and the Chatham Book Monster” – Toby Peach, Coney.
This project was funded by the Regional Innovation Fund with the support of electric Medway.