Welsh University Team Brings Home International Award for Innovative Board Game Collaboration

There’s a new board game breaking ground called Legless in London. It recently won the Best Board or Tabletop Game for Impact at the 2025 Games for Change Awards in New York. This game isn’t just entertaining; it brings to light the experiences of lower-limb amputees in Victorian London.

In Legless in London, players step into the shoes of an amputee. Their goal? To navigate life, facing unique challenges while aiming to achieve personal dreams, like finding love or buying a home. The game allows players to explore the Victorian streets and the world of prosthetics, making history relatable and engaging.

This compelling concept is rooted in research by Dr. Ryan Sweet from Swansea University, who specializes in disability history. His findings inspired many of the game’s characters and scenarios. Dr. Sweet, now a lecturer at the University of Plymouth, highlights that disability has often been overlooked in gaming. He believes it’s crucial to present more accurate and positive representations of disabled individuals.

In a recent survey, 60% of disabled individuals reported feeling underrepresented in games. This gap is exactly what Legless in London aims to fill. “We want to offer players a more diverse view of disability,” Dr. Sweet explains. “This game helps reflect on the still-relevant societal treatment of disabled people.”

The design team’s commitment to accessibility is noteworthy. They collaborated with the disabled community, ensuring the game is friendly for all players. Features include easy-to-read rules, large font on game pieces, and digital assets that assist players with screen readers. There’s even a free app to simplify gameplay for those with varying dexterity and numeracy skills.

Since its release in February, over 170 players have tried the game, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. Dr. Sweet stated, “It’s a fun way to foster understanding about the lives of amputees.”

Building on this success, Dr. Sweet and Focus Games are developing inclusive design guidelines to encourage other tabletop makers to adopt similar practices. This initiative is a step toward ensuring that the gaming world becomes more inclusive for everyone.

Legless in London isn’t just about playing a game—it’s about changing perceptions and making history accessible. For more information, check out [Legless in London’s website](http://www.leglessinlondon.com).

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