Testing the Gradient
Foom isn’t a product. It’s not a simulation you simply step into and walk away from. Foom is a dynamic, evolving ecosystem where individuals and teams confront the complexities of decision-making in an uncertain world. It’s a process as much as it is an experience, designed to reveal something deeper about how we think, lead, and adapt—both alone and together.
Every deployment of Foom sets the stage for a unique experiment. We’re not just exploring how decisions get made; we’re learning about the cultural, social, and environmental factors that shape them. From conference rooms to exhibition spaces, from one country to the next, Foom adapts to the context, reflecting the nuances of how people strategize across industries, sectors, and societies. These insights don’t stay locked in the moment—they’re folded back into Foom itself, shaping new mechanics, scenarios, and tools to keep pushing boundaries.
This blog is here to connect you with that process. It’s where we’ll share upcoming opportunities to engage with Foom in public events around the world. It’s also where we’ll unpack the lessons we’ve learned from running Foom in diverse environments—from the ways decision-making shifts between different cultural contexts to how people collaborate (or clash) when stakes feel real (see recent participant quote below).
Foom was a magnificent strategic simulation of the interaction within groups and between groups, using the five rounds perfectly to bring a sense of real peril to each decision and encourage deep conversation beyond the gameplay.
Play with colleagues but beware—you might learn more than you’re comfortable with. Or reveal more than you care to.
— Bill, Technology critic currently embedded in a large media organisation
But we’re not stopping at observations. Foom is constantly expanding, not just in scope but in depth. We’re experimenting with new tools and techniques to heighten the intensity and impact of the experience. Whether it’s incorporating emergent technologies, crafting more immersive narratives, or designing more dynamic systems of challenge and choice, we work to ensure Foom continues to push participants out of their comfort zones and into new ways of thinking.
And we’re not just improving the experience. We’re working to make the learnings from Foom travel further within the organizations that invite us to run sessions. After-action reports, debriefs, and customized reflections are just some of the tools we’re building to play back what Foom uncovers—insights into team dynamics, decision-making blind spots, and areas of strategic strength. These outputs are designed to help organizations take the lessons from the Foom experience and weave them into their internal conversations, planning processes, and leadership development efforts.
Keep an eye on this space for updates, reflections, and invitations to join us. There is one coming up very soon. Contact us if you would like to discuss designing a Foom experience for your team.
