After the visits to The Grail, Prison Island and the MysteryCity scavenger hunt, the PlayQuest journey in Prague reached a high point with a full day spent at Albi, one of the most iconic companies in the Czech board game industry. This activity, part of the GameOn Erasmus+ project, gave participants from Malta and Czechia a unique opportunity to step inside the world of professional board game design and development.
Morning at Albi Headquarters
The day began at the Albi Headquarters, where the participants from Malta and Czechia were welcomed by Albi employees. An experienced Albi product manager, demonstrated how a board game evolves from a simple idea into a finished product sitting on store shelves. They checked out different games and also saw a few concept games at different stages of development while learning about the challenges and creative decisions behind each stage of production.
From an entrepreneurial perspective, Albi explained how they acquire new game ideas, either through collaborations with independent designers or through companies looking for branded games. Participants also discussed what makes a game marketable and how niche audiences can be targeted effectively.
One presentation focused on Albi’s educational mission. A former teacher now working at Albi showed how the company develops and distributes free educational games to schools across the Czech Republic. This not only supports learning but also highlights how games can connect generations. A member of the Maltese group who happened to also be a teacher was presented with an educational pack to use back home, courtesy of Albi.
Afternoon at the Albi Experience Centre
After lunch, the group moved to the Albi Experience Centre for hands-on workshops. Here, participants split into four mixed teams and received Albi’s “prototyping kit,” a clever toolkit designed to help create board games from scratch.
Each group brainstormed, discussed mechanics, refined ideas, and finally built a prototype ready for testing. The results were impressive: four unique games, each with its own theme and style, born in just one afternoon. The activity encouraged collaboration, adaptability, and creativity – key skills for both game design and entrepreneurship.
What Participants Thought
Feedback from the group shows just how impactful the day was. Participants described the activity as exciting, inspiring, challenging, and motivating. They highlighted skills such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving as central to the experience.
When asked about the social enterprise potential, many agreed that Albi’s model already supports education and community. However, they suggested additional missions such as discounted access for disadvantaged groups or programmes focused on mental health and inclusion.
A Day of Inspiration
The visit to Albi showed how games can be more than just entertainment. They can inspire creativity, teach valuable skills, and even drive social impact. By opening their doors, Albi gave PlayQuest participants a unique behind-the-scenes look while also nurturing their own ideas through practical workshops.
As with every PlayQuest activity, participants completed a reflective survey to better understand the skills they practiced and to think about how such entrepreneurial ventures could be adapted to their local realities.
The day was packed with learning, creativity, and fun—an unforgettable highlight of the PlayQuest Prague adventure.
What’s Next?
The PlayQuest adventure in Prague has already taken us through The Grail, Prison Island, The Astronomer’s Treasure, and now an inspiring day at Albi. Yet the journey is not over yet. Each activity continues to spark creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit. Keep an eye out for the next chapter in our PlayQuest series!
