Using online gaming technology to bring important public policy decisions to life, measure attitudes and inform citizens and policy makers.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates 1.8 million residences, and 140,000 commercial properties, equating to 4 – 5 million people, are at risk from flooding. These figures are likely to increase significantly with the potential impact of climate change.

The UK needs to be better prepared for this increased risk and a number of important lessons need to be learnt from 2007’s events to form our future thinking and priorities.

What we did:

PlayGen developed FloodSim as an accessible online policy simulation to help raise public awareness of issues around flood policy and provide feedback to insurers and policy makers about public attitudes towards different flood protection options.

FloodSim puts the player in control of flood policy in the UK for three years. Players must decide how much money to spend on flood defences, where to build houses and how to keep the public informed. However, as in real life, money is limited. The player must weigh up flood risks in different regions against the potential impact on the local economy and population. The game brings to life the complexity of the issue and the trade-offs that policy-makers are grappling with in real life.

The choices players make build up a rich picture to feed back to stakeholders with an interest in flood defence. The simulation also taps into players’ competitive streak to motivate them to leave further feedback. At the end of the game, the players can see how their choices and views compare to the thousands of other people who have played.

The benefits of Floodsim:

• Increased public awareness of the issues and dangers surrounding flooding
• Enables players to understand the outcomes for current government policy and play out key facts through highly dramatic virtual scenario.
• The choices players make build up a rich picture to feed back to stakeholders with an interest in flood defence.
• The simulation taps into players’ competitive streak to motivate them to leave further feedback.
• The simulation also motivates citizens to take action, leading to questions in parliament and increased pressure on politicians
• Makes it easy for people to take action straight away by petitioning No.10 or contacting their MP.

Thirty thousand people played FloodSim in the first weeks after launch, far more than those who respond to an average government consultation. Floodsim has given Ministers, policy advisers and insurance specialists access to the views of a far larger and wider group of people. It has also been commended by teachers, journalists and members of the public for making the issue easier to understand.

Feedback:

“Very interesting, could be used in flood awareness campaigns.”

“Very good game – hope it helps to prevent major floods!”

“An excellent way to generate interest in a very serious subject. Not sure I should be the flood tsar!”

“I found the game very interesting and I enjoyed having control over decisions made across the country. Personally I believe that flooding must be taken more seriously as it is potentially the breakdown of this country and especially for people living close to the coast, an extensive problem and worry that their homes may be destroyed. I think this game will educate people as well as giving them a vital warning and wake up call to be aware of the risk they are at. Thank you.”

“A very useful introduction to flooding and how policy decisions affect the outcomes.”

“A very interesting game. Very educational and will raise awareness to the public on how floods can affect the economy and population if satisfactory defences are not placed.”

“A great idea, people need to wake up to the biggest challenge facing this country as a visible and real effect of global warming.”