A Mad Scientist is a Type-Three Play Persona, combining Artist, Collector and Joker. What is the world for the Mad Scientist but one long, hilarious experiment? They love to test: how the world is; how to describe it; what are its boundaries or constraints; what is funny; what are the properties of the world and how can we manipulate them. If it seems like the Mad Scientist doesn't have a grasp on reality it's simply because they don't accept things as they are, but like to find ways around it, whether through reinterpretation, or turning things upside down.

A Researcher is a play persona combining Artist and Collector. With a passion for both beauty and organising, a researcher may seek to have a complete set of attractive objects. He or she may enjoy seeking out items – for example through scouring flea markets or antiques shops. For a researcher the hunt for objects is just as important as having them – but then, having them is also as important as the hunt!

A Surrealist is a Type-Two Play Persona, combining Artist and Joker. A surrealist loves to challenge perceptions, and presents a view of the world that is at odds with usual expectations. They don't take themselves too seriously - even during the most earnest of creative endeavours - and frequently their words hum with an ambiguity about whether they are really proposing the preposterous things they seem to be. Part of the joy of having the surrealist around is that they love to share their zany view of the world - but for some other personas this can feel a little destabilising.

A Jester is a Type-Two Play Persona, combining Collector and Joker. A Jester is a funny person to have around. They tend to store up jokes and deploy them with regularity. But remember, the Jester has a hidden knack of speaking truth to power, always with a cheeky smile. Jesters might also have quirky habits - collecting an odd category of item, for example. There's probably some method to their madness, but good luck unpicking it!

An Artist is one of the basic, single-type Play Personas. He or she loves to observe or create beauty in the world. An artist derives pleasure from creating – whether that’s building a structure from just the right selection of Lego, or life-drawing in charcoal. If you’re an artist, you might also enjoy going to galleries, listening to music, or watching a gorgeous sunset.

A Collector is a basic, type-one Play Persona. A collector, you'll be unsurprised to hear, enjoys collecting. This doesn't necessarily mean physical objects, but could just as easily be experiences. Collectors like to set themselves challenges, and are frequently motivated as much by completeness (visiting every single restaurant in the top 100!) as by the experience itself. They may also like to do something on a daily basis, and are motivated by the need to maintain an unbroken chain.

A Joker is a basic, Type-One Play Persona. A joker loves to muck around, and frequently resists rules and constraints. They'll be the one who relishes chaos and the unexpected. They can be difficult to have around if you're a stickler for rules - but they can probably teach you a thing or two about letting go of your preconceived ideas of how play should unfold, and encourage you to go with the flow!