Why is there a need?

There are critical connections between social and

economic developments and environmental

sustainability, with water being an essential

building block. Unfortunately these linkages are

not widely recognized. The aim of this game is to

raise awareness and to provide education that

utilizes new technological trends.

What other benefits are there?

Aqua Republica provides a flexible and

continuous online and offline learning platform

for organisations interested in natural resource

management

It can also offer a fun way to encourage

integrated water resources management

proficiency by gauging and tracking players’

progress

What’s the experience?

To date Aqua Republica has been adapted for

use in real-life stakeholder negotiation

workshops, is freely available in a simple online

version for anyone to play, and is now an integral

part of the annual UNEP-DHI Eco Challenge

schools’ competition involving thousands of

Partners

www.AquaRepublica.com

Imagine the power to change

the world is in your hands...

Will you be

a hero?

Or rather

a villain?

A New Serious Game!

Want to know more?

Chengzi Chew (DHI) - czc@dhigroup.com

Gareth James Lloyd (UNEP-DHI) - gjl@dhigroup.com

What is it?

Aqua Republica is a new online and offline strategic

game platform that helps raise awareness and educate

stakeholders of the importance and challenges of man-

aging limited natural resources in the face of multiple

and often competing demands in the drive towards

sustainable development.

Who is it for?

It is possible to tailor the game to meet the needs of en-

try level water managers and policy makers, as well as

universities, schools and anyone who is interested in, or

should be interested in, water and sustainable develop-

ment.

What can be gained from it?

Build capacity and increase knowledge on the impor-

tance of water management

Learn to balance developmental needs with water re-

sources and the environment

Learn to manage conflicts between stakeholders over

the use and abuse of water

Learn about key water issues, such as those related to

climate change, and transboundary developments, as

well as energy, food and ecosystems

How can that be done?

By experiencing decisions-making in a realistic and inter-

active learning environment, with real time simulation of

hydrological processes, developments and water resour-

ces management options.

Gain knowledge on Water

Resources Management

Realistic Water Environment

The game mechanics revolve around real

science. Numerical computational models

(MIKE BASIN from DHI) are used in real-time to

generate a realistic game environment

especially in terms of water resources and

hydrology. This allows players to also gain

an insight into working with nature

while developing their

communities.

Actions by

player

Changes in

Game

Environment

Evaluation by

player

Pla

yers

try

an a

ctio

n

and

expe

ct th

e

gam

e en

viro

nmen

t

to rea

ct

Changes in the

game environm

ent

either reward or

penalise the player

Trial and error or game

research by player to find out

about the relationship between

actions and in-game reactions

Learning by

Playing

Learning by Playing

Serious games that are well designed yield “meaningful

play”, a condition very much like learning. Aqua

Republica focuses on meaningful play to engage players

and to educate them about the complex relationships

between developmental actions in a river basin and the

natural environment as well as their consequences.

Game Concept

Aqua Republica is a serious

game where a realistic simplifi-

cation of the real world is creat-

ed for players to play and

learn—by personal experience,

about the conflicts and trade-

offs that exist in a river basin.

What is it like?

Alone or together with groups of players, you plan and devel-

op a river basin with multiple stakeholders. Your area initially

contains a river, a small urban area that includes some busi-

nesses and light industry, a few farms and a small power sta-

tion. Your aim is to create prosperous living conditions for the

population in a healthy and sustainably managed environ-

ment.

As time moves on, drivers such as population growth, climate

change and actions of other players, force you to adapt to

survive and thrive. For example, you may need to decide to

clear a forest area to open up land to expand industry. How-

ever, developments are costly, take time to implement, im-

pact the environment and other users, as well as your score.

How would you balance a wealth of developmental needs

while taking care of the environment and living harmoniously

with other players?