The groundbreaking Legless in London board game which has brought disability culture and history to life in a significant and accessible way has won a major prize at the 2025 Games for Change Awards in New York.
This innovative board game Legless in London earned the Best Board or Tabletop Game for Impact award, allowing players to experience the challenges and opportunities that Victorian London presented to lower-limb amputees. The game is based on research by Dr Ryan Sweet, a lecturer in English and Creative Writing at Plymouth University, and an expert in disability history.
Legless in London: Research Behind the Game
The Legless in London board game is based on extensive research by Dr. Ryan Sweet, a lecturer in English and Creative Writing at Plymouth University and an expert in disability history. The game stems from his 2022 book, Prosthetic Body Parts in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture. Many of the game’s characters, locations, and scenarios are directly inspired by the research he conducted for the book. Dr. Sweet’s vital research on 19th-century literature was largely completed while he worked at the University of Plymouth between 2017 and 2020. He continued this work after moving to Swansea University, where the idea for Legless in London took shape.
Experiencing Victorian Life
Through the Legless in London board game, all players assume the role of an amputee and attempt to achieve life goals such as buying property, finding love, or fulfilling personal ambitions. Players are challenged to navigate the complex Victorian streets, the prosthetic limb market, the sickroom, and various other locations that provide opportunities to achieve their aims. This engaging experience fosters understanding of historical disability.
Plymouth’s Historical Link to Victorian Prosthetics
While “Legless in London” focuses on Victorian London, Plymouth itself holds a notable historical connection to the world of 19th-century prosthetics. The highly successful medical firm J. Gillingham & Son, founded in 1866 and renowned for its articulated artificial limbs, established a branch in Plymouth. The firm was appointed principal fitter to the Admiralty, underscoring Plymouth’s role as a major naval port where demand for advanced prosthetic solutions would have been significant.
Collaboration and Recognition
The Legless in London board game which launched in February 2025, has been designed and produced by Focus Games in conjunction with Dr. Sweet and Swansea University. Speaking about its success at the Games for Change Awards, Dr. Sweet, who returned to Plymouth earlier this year, shared his excitement:
“It’s safe to say that receiving this award has blown my mind. As a little boy, I used to make board games for my family as a bit of fun, and I thought it would be an interesting way to engage people with my research.”
He added,
“I never imagined Legless in London would get this kind of recognition, but it is amazing for everyone involved. I hope it makes more people aware of the experiences of disabled people.”
For details visit www.leglessinlondon.com
