Game Design Workbook and Facilitation
This CCT course challenged us to examine a wicked problem using systems mapping and facilitating a game design session on the topic of our choosing.
Game Design Workshop Reflection
The facilitation workshop provided a unique opportunity to explore the complex intersections of artificial intelligence, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability through game design. The workshop benefited from the participant's foundational knowledge of AI and energy dynamics. This shared understanding allowed us to quickly move beyond basic explanations and dive directly into the creative game design process. We reviewed the data in the appendix and completed a few optional activities, which grounded some of our game mechanics in real-world scenarios. The participant's commitment to clean energy and climate justice were important in shaping the game's core mechanics, which represented diverse stakeholders that brought unique objectives to the game. By assigning specific abilities to each player type, the game creates a simulation of how different sectors interact, compete, and potentially collaborate around energy resources. For instance, the DOE Regulator's ability to implement energy regulations and the AI companies' strategic energy card purchases mirror the actual negotiations and constraints in the energy sector.
Game Components
Player cards (x4)
Renewable energy cards (x15)
Non-renewable energy sources (x15)
Data center cards (x2)
Money
Energy tokens
Game Mechanics
The game begins with players randomly drawing player cards (these include DOE Regulator, AI Company (x2), Climate advocate, Clean Energy Company).
To start, each player receives 400 money tokens–these can be used to purchase energy cards.
The energy cards are assigned different energy generation values to reflect the power generation differences in real life. They’re also assigned a monetary value.
Players also have different objectives, but can collaborate with each other to win the game: If DOE Regulator, Climate Advocate, and the Clean Energy Company collect 600 terrawatts (energy tokens) worth of energy, they win. If the AI companies build two data centers, they win.
Playing order is as follows: DOE regulator, clean energy company, AI company, and climate advocate.
During a player’s turn, they can choose to purchase and place an energy card of their choice or collect any available energy tokens.
All energy cards must be connected to other energy cards.
Players also have different abilities that represent the power dynamics of these players in the real world. For example, the DOE regulator can implement “energy regulations” by deciding to block energy card placements. The AI companies can purchase up to 2 energy cards per turn but need to maintain a minimum number of energy tokens to power their data centers.
Final Thoughts
The design process also revealed several areas for further development. The most significant challenges are refining the negotiation and collaboration mechanics, like creating a game structure that encourages players to find common ground while acknowledging their different objectives, the balancing of energy token collection across different game phases, and the potential for creating energy card clusters that trigger bonus points or actions.
