The Challenge

For many young people, going out of your way to find out about and take an interest in politics is virtually unheard of. However, it is also true that the government can do a lot more to make the dry world of policy-making accessible to young people.

At PlayGen, we believe there is a substantial gap between government and citizens, which serious games and simulations can address and reduce.

What we did

We developed SeriousPolicy, an interactive simulation that places citizens in the shoes of a senior civil servant dealing with the Prime Minister, leader of the opposition and the Chancellor. SeriousPolicy explains the policy making process and encourages younger people to make their voices heard.

The game sets the player on a mission to win Treasury funding for a new policy. Players can get advice from Tony Blair, exasperate Alistair Darling, or receive hailed blessings from the Prime Minister. Along the way, you wander through a virtual Members’ Lobby, pop into a simulated Treasury and are summoned to a stunningly realistic digital Number 10. A Paris Hilton look-alike provides some light relief and the MC has more than a passing resemblance to Keira Knightly!

Key Messages and Themes

• Demonstrates how political processes and decision-making can be brought to life in a fun and interesting way through a virtual world.
• Highlights to players, whether they are citizens or policy makers, the importance of public engagement in the decision-making process.
• Raising awareness about the policy-making processes that directly affect citizens.