FUNDING OUTCOMES FROM THE GOOD DEATH IMPACT NETWORK Part 3: Carked It! Game Design

By Shanna Provost & Lauren Anseline

Big change often starts small through community grassroots activities. One of GDIN’s systemic change levers is ‘Fund for Outcomes’ which recognises that often these grassroots initiatives don’t attract the attention of big funders, yet they can be the catalyst for ripples that eventually cause systemic shifts.

Allocating funds for projects each year is part of GDIN’s Innovation Fund, a process of participatory granting where GDIN members present their ideas to the members of the network. The network then discusses the potential of each idea to align to GDIN’s principles, systemic levers, and purpose. Instead of external funders determining priorities, this deliberative process invites the members – those who live and work within the sector’s realities, challenges and opportunities – to directly influence what gets funded. This process is not just about giving out funds. It’s a practice of connection, transparency, collaboration, and relational trust which is the culture the network wants to grow in the end-of-life sector.

In 2024, one of the Innovation Fund’s supported projects was the Carked It! game, an award-winning death literacy game designed and facilitated by GDIN member Simon Lowe from The Ageing Revolution.

Carked It! A game encouraging conversations about death and dying through humour

Carked It! invites players to explore life and death through conversations, play and humour. The game was initially created in the first round of Innovation Funding that GDIN experimented with in 2020, co-designed by the network and wider public.

This round of Innovation Funding for Carked It! was focused on raising awareness of the game through a social media and marketing campaign. The game has been sold worldwide and reached an estimated 5000 players, with many players reporting that it shifted their perspectives on death and dying in profound ways.  

This phase of the project focused on driving awareness and sales through social media, which had varied success. In reflection, prioritising personal outreach, radio appearances, and in-person events, which seem to have a greater effect should be the marketing.

Expanded reach and recognition

Momentum for the game continues to grow with upcoming events including:

·        A mass game in Cairns, 

·        An event in Point Cunjurong, 

·        An event exploring the Australian Blue Zone, and 

·        Presentations, workshops, and game playing will be presented at an Aged Care conference on a cruise ship February 2026.

Carked It! has also had an international reach, with game sessions being played in Chicago, New York, and soon in Mexico.

Recognition of the game's innovative approach to death literacy was also recognised in 2024 when Carked It! won a Green Tick for Social Impact at the Australian Good Design Awards.

What’s next?

Looking ahead, the team at The Ageing Revolution who led the development of Carked It! are exploring more ways to amplify the game's impact, including:

·        Digital versions of the game so it can be played anywhere

·        A First Nations adaption of the game in Australia

·        AI Chatbot integration for personalised end-of-life planning

·        Workshop packages for organisations

·        Exploring white-label opportunities with palliative care, aged care, and insurance sectors

Are you interested in learning more or purchasing the CarkedIt! Game? Visit our website or reach out to Simon Lowe for more information.

In our next article, we’re spotlighting the ‘Bereavement Companions Project’ by Joe Sehee.