(Seeded by facilitator) If the US were to win the World Cup, it would produce a wave of popularity of the sport (and MLS) in the US. If this were to happen, it would not be a sure "goal" but it would demonstrate real progress toward the goal of rising to the same level of popularity as the EPL. (Seeded by facilitator) If we lose the LA Galaxy, we will most certainly lose ground in popularity of the MLS across the US. This would be an certain threat. Soccer in the States ==================================== Thanks for coming everybody. I appreciate your time today and I hope you enjoy the experience. OK. Let's get started. I work for an property and casualty insurance company and I am trying to get better at facilitating Innovation Games(R) so that I'm prepared when it comes time to use them with customers at work. Innovation Games(R) are exciting and they are a part of the surface for innovation that I'm trying to build here at my company. ===================================== For this game, I decided to mix it up and have a little fun. I am a soccer fan and I would love to someday see the popularity of the game rise to that which is enjoyed in England. So, I created a graphic that forms the basis for this visual collaboration event and supports the understanding of the question I am asking. How can the MLS rise to the same level of popularity in the US as that of the EPL (English Premier League) in England? I need your help answering this question. The game will probably last about 45 minutes. After the game, I will process the results. I love soccer enough that if the analysis provides interesting insight that I think the MLS would benefit from, I may write a report and send it to them. If I do that, I would be sure to make names anonymous if that's what you wish. I would also provide you with a copy of the report. ===================================== In a moment, I'll start the game. Your browser will automatically refresh. When the game starts, you'll see an image of a soccer field with some icons along the side. On it, I've drawn layers and regions that represent how the MLS might improve their position of popularity. These are initially hidden, but you can see the layers and regions by clicking on the layers and regions tab in the upper right during the game. The regions drawn on top of the image are grouped into OFFENSE and DEFENSE. They are ... (OFFENSE) :: The MLS is Attacking and Rising in Popularity And sub-layers for offense ... In control of our destiny Threat! Gaining ground in popularity Score! Huge gains in popularity (DEFENSE) :: The MLS is Defending and Either Holding or Losing Popularity And sub-layers for defense ... Losing control of our destiny Danger! Losing popularity Conceding! Can we recover? For soccer fans, this collaboration event should come pretty easy. If you're not a soccer fan, that's okay. Just think about is what a sport or league organization (such as the MLS) could do to improve it's popularity. When you see the image, take a minute or two to examine it. If there's something you don't understand, ask the question in the chat window. There will be three icons in the upper-left corner. Yellow penalty cards, Red penalty cards, and soccer balls. Everyone will share the same set of icons so you will need to collaborate with your fellow players in the chat window. Think about them in the context of whether the MLS is playing offense or playing defense. Yellow penalty cards might be used to note things that are warnings to them. Red penalty cards might be used to note things that have more severe consequences. Soccer balls might represent other things that can be done to advance the position. You’ll find that the field has some initial icons to help get you started. You can move these around to where you like them. You can even delete them by moving them off the game board. My job is to answer your questions during the game and help move things along. If you have questions on how to play the game please review the information at https://innovationgames.com/content/docs/HowToPlayPTPT. Ok, I'm going to start the game. Your screen will automatically switch to a new look. See you inside. Other Helpful Script Items ==================================== Since everyone shares the same set of icons, you will need to collaborate with your fellow players. You’ll find that the tree has some initial apples to help get you started. You can move these around to where you like them. You can even delete them by moving them off the game board. To give you feedback on where the apples are placed, we have created some layers and regions. These are initially hidden, but you can see the layers and regions by clicking on the layers and regions tab in the upper right during the game. My job is to answer your questions during the game and help move things along. We’ll start as soon as more participants arrive. If you have questions on how to play the game please review the information at https://innovationgames.com/content/docs/HowToPlayPTPT.