Games for Cities
Geovania – The Geopolitics of Renewables Game (2023)
Delft [NL]
Developed by:
“Geovania – The Geopolitics of Renewables” Game is an educational tool. It is developed to play in a classroom setting, but it can also be played online with the use of video chat applications.
The game is designed to help students understand the effects of cooperation or non-cooperation between countries on CO2 emissions and the energy transition, and the possibilities and effects of burden-sharing and investment in renewable technologies.
Players are divided in four groups: each group represents one hypothetical country, on an imagined continent, Geovania. Players interact in simulated national and international negotiations according to one of their roles. Each player role has their own responsibility: leader of the country in policy negotiations, minister of energy, minister of finance & technology and the minister of social welfare.
The common goal in the game is to develop the island towards a sustainable environment by reducing the CO2 emissions. However, each group also has their own goal of developing their country with sufficient energy, food, housing and economic welfare for their population.
Players are assisted in their negotiations with a digital simulation. The simulation consists of a map of the continent depicting the four countries with various biomes. Players use this simulation to make their trades of energy, technology, tax or food, as well researching new technologies, and constructing and demolishing buildings.
It is up to the players to keep Geovania the paradise it is, with as few as possible climate change effects as well keeping their population happy.