Multiple reports describe the work of “Policy Lab,” a UK government-linked body founded in 2014 that applies “design thinking” to policy development. The outlet claims that, as part of this approach, civil servants use virtual worlds to help policymakers understand public attitudes and needs. In the example cited, staff reportedly play “Grand Theft Auto,” described as a violent video game, as a way to explore what the public may “hope” and “dream” for, and how people interact with different environments and scenarios.
The coverage frames the effort as an attempt to gather insights beyond traditional consultation methods. According to the reports, the lab argues that virtual experiences can be “crucial” for policymakers to learn about British people’s views. The accounts focus on the stated rationale and the use of a specific game as an example, rather than reporting specific policy outcomes or independent findings from the activity.
