“I think another really crucial aspect is we wanted to give people a sense of hope. We wanted to give them the feeling, yes, this is something we can fix,” Gehrig says. “It is very tough but a positive message ultimately, that it is feasible to reverse climate change, and you're putting our planet in good order, in a way again. I'm really proud in the level of depth and really authoritative content that we were able to craft into an engaging experience.”

The engaging experience has already captivated over 650,000 players. Impressively, 56% of those who started playing with a character completed the entire game, spending a minimum of 15 minutes immersed in the experience.

Why Gamification?

Kajala believes that gamification is a way to influence human behavior positively. He explains that traditional teaching methods like reading books or listening to lectures are passive and don't trigger strong neurochemical reactions in the brain. Gamification, on the other hand, leverages the release of dopamine when players achieve something in games, making them feel good and motivating them to continue. It engages learners and allows them to have an active role in their education.

He draws examples from "Sinuhe, the Egyptian" to demonstrate how human behavior has remained the same throughout history, despite technological advancements. Kajala emphasizes that although there have been improvements in areas such as medicine and living conditions, there are still environmental factors and reasons that can help shape people into better individuals.

Sarah Toms, Chief Learning Innovation Officer at IMD, reckons that to begin with, it is crucial to grasp the broad spectrum of differentiations and definitions within the gaming industry. Let's break it down systematically.

Imagine a Venn diagram with "learning" at the top and intersecting areas representing games, simulations, and learning, she says. Simulations are primarily designed to facilitate skill development and refinement. An excellent illustration of this is found in the medical field, where neurosurgeons can practice performing brain surgery through simulations. This practice has been proven to minimize errors significantly when they transition to conducting real-life surgeries. By incorporating simulations into their training, surgeons can enhance their proficiency and reduce risks in the operating room.

“What you have in gamification, is you have this, this kind of tapping into using, for example, points and achievements, and leaderboards, and progress visualizations, and community interaction. These are all the elements that make up gamification,” she explains.

An expert in the lane of ‘learning’, Toms constantly looks for ways to tap into and enhance human cognitive capabilities: How do we make learning more memorable? How do we make knowledge acquisition skills acquisition transference? How do we make it easier for learners to take what they're learning in classroom settings in their age educational environments and build skills and understanding and knowledge that is transferable into the real world.

“We have this concept called the knowledge effect. So, we're building off the knowledge that the learner already has and scaffold them into more higher-level ways of thinking about different subject areas – we're shepherding them to a more complex and more advanced topic in areas that they may already know,” Toms says. “The wonderful thing about simulations and games-based learning is it's an environment where they can fail safely and recover and keep re-practicing until they gain mastery. They can keep coming back into these low-stakes environments to practice again and again”.

The Eventual Goal

Smith notes that the Financial Times appeals to a wide range of readers beyond the traditional finance and business sectors. He highlights the game's relevance for decision makers across various fields, from CEOs considering carbon neutrality for their companies to young individuals seeking to comprehend the changing world around them. Climate change is a topic that resonates with everyone, and the game aims to provide valuable insights for a diverse demographic.

“One of the things we have come to know from those who have used it is how it has led people away from their perception towards the reality of where we are in terms of climate change. That's a big thing with climate change – everybody has their own preconceptions about where we are on the climate change journey, so it's great to be able to educate along the way, without feeling preachy,” he says.

While corporations and governments traditionally come to mind, the perspective on decision-makers is broader. In today's world, everyone is required to make choices that shape their lives. This encompasses a wide range of individuals, from young professionals navigating their careers.

Referencing the TV series "Star Trek," Kajala highlights the importance of ethics and moral decision-making progress in envisioning a better future for humankind. He believes that the choices made by individuals collectively can determine the path humanity takes, and gamification plays a crucial role in shaping people's perspectives and emotions, ultimately leading to a better future.

“The technology has evolved, but still has the ethics, the moral decision-making progress. We cannot be certain that the future humankind will take, but the point is, it's up to us. And that's why, gamification is important, because if we can change the way people see and feel things, it can lead to a better future,” Kajala concludes.