# Programmable Play Generation Z comes to expect open-source gaming. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Nov 26, 2015 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/programmable-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.6/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Programmable Play trend? **Programmable Play:** The evolution of code literacy goes all the way back to MySpace, when social interaction pushed young Millennials to teach themselves basic code. Minecraft ushered in a new, more advanced iteration of self-taught code for the new generation, causing them to expect the same level of freedom and complexity in all tech. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 11, 2014 to Dec 24, 2015 - Published: Nov 26, 2015 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Programmable Play trend ### Open-source Gaming As Generation Z comes to expect open-source gaming, businesses in the gaming industry have an opportunity to create platforms that encourage user customization and collaboration. ### Customizable Technology From customizable gaming peripherals to programmable building blocks, there is an increasing demand for technology that can be tailored to personal preferences and individual needs. ### Smart Wearables for Kids Wearable technology for kids has emerged as a new market, with programmable smart jewelry and intelligent building blocks offering opportunities for innovation and personalization. ## What the Programmable Play trend means for industry ### For Gaming The gaming industry can tap into the trend of open-source gaming to create platforms that encourage user customization and collaboration. ### For Technology The growing demand for customizable technology, from gaming peripherals to smart building blocks, presents opportunities for innovation and differentiation within the tech industry. ### For Education Smart wearable technology for kids, such as programmable friendship bracelets and intelligent building blocks, offers new tools for educators to monitor and encourage cognitive development. ## Workshop question How can your brand empower younger consumers to engage their critical thinking skills? ## Trend signals for Programmable Play Trend score 2.6 out of 10, from popularity 38%, activity 32%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 38% - Activity: 32% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Programmable Play trend 6 featured examples from Jun 11, 2014 to Dec 24, 2015. - [Open-Source Animating Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-animation-software): Film Company Pixar Will Be Releasing a New Animation Software (Category: Tech) Implication: The open-source animation software disrupts the film production industry by providing independent filmmakers with access to sophisticated animation tools. - [Smart Friendship Bracelets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-friendship-bracelet): Minecraft Inspired the Programmable Jewelbots for Tween Girls (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The collaboration of fashion and technology in Jewelbots presents an opportunity for fashion industry professionals to develop new lines of smart accessories for young girls. - [App-Connected Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-building-blocks): playDXTR Smart Building Blocks Track Cognitive Development in Kids (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry can leverage smart building blocks to create innovative products that combine physical play and digital intelligence, enabling cognitive development in children. - [Customizable Gaming Peripherals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roccat-tyon): The Roccat Tyon is Fast, Versatile & Ideal for Tailored Gameplay (Category: Tech) Implication: There are opportunities for gaming equipment manufacturers to incorporate customizable features, like assignable buttons, in their products. - [Customizable Platformer Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-maker): Nintendo's Mario Maker Will Let You Build Your Own Levels (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating software tools for game designers to easily develop customizable games and user-friendly level creation interfaces. - [Refreshed Classic Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minecraft-story-mode-game): The Minecraft: Story Mode Game Adds Plot and Characters to a Classic Game (Category: Tech) Implication: Video game developers can explore updating classic video games and adding characters, plot, and immersive elements to boost player engagement. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)