The first assignment concerns an ice-breaker. I use it to "warm up" the people or "break the ice." Instead of talking for hours I immediately start with this assignment. At the same time, however, it serves as a metaphor for the whole workshop and Triadic Game Design in general. That makes it so powerful.

The assignment is actually a puzzle with three cups and three table spoons. After making a setup as depicted in the picture, the goal is to place any object above and in-between the three cups. The cups may not be moved and only the three spoons can be used to solve it. No other form of assistance is allowed. I mostly use a fourth cup as the object to be placed above and in-between the other cups.

The solution? It involves no tricks, I can guarantee this. Just think deeply and in time you will solve it, similar to how you will come up with a great game design for some sort of serious purpose. Or you can buy the book and look in the Appendix but I consider that "cheating"!