The PlayLab2 laboratory was held in Donostia between 19th November and 3rd December 2011. It was organised by Arteleku-Tabakalera during the Jolasean conferences and was co-ordinated by Flavio Escribano (Arsgames). The purpose of PlayLab2 was to create a game/videogame which would deepen our understanding of the Financial Crisis and, if possible, suggest solutions through the conclusions based on the work at the laboratory. In this essay we explore the capacity of games and videogames to create simulations which help us to comprehend complex systems, as well as initiatives for the visualisation of data related to the crisis. The fusion of both of these concepts (visualisations of the financial crisis and the persuasive powers of videogames) at PlayLab2 also fulfilled the objective of creating a game which would help its participants to acquire means and methods of facing the crisis and its consequences, changing their status as mere victims of the financial meltdown and granting them a new identity as people with the necessary attitudes and knowledge to be able to face up to the challenges presented by the crisis.
