World Water Day

Water Games is a joint initiative of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the Centre for Systems Solutions to celebrate the World Water Day.

We have collected and described a number of different games addressing different water challenges. These games differ with respect to time required to play, a number of participants, type (computer, board, or role-play). We hope that you find a game that you can use and organize a session for other participants that you invite.

We would be delighted to hear from you more about your experiences - please share with us descriptions and pictures from your event!

Climate and Gender game

Gender. Simulation. About 30-60 minutes. Dialogue on the different vulnerabilities of women and men facing climate variability and change. Decision-making training.

Florima

Disaster management. Board game. 30-60 minutes. Insight into the tensions that play a role in flood risk management by having them experience some of those tensions.

Flood-Wise

Water control. 1-2 hours.Flood- Wise is a simulation game about the transboundary flood risk. Issues that may arise if transboundary flood risks need to be managed.

Extreme Event Game: Coastal City

Disaster management. 1-2 hours. In Extreme Event Game players must work together to help their neighbors stay safe and send resources where they are needed most.

Dwelling near the ditch

Urban waste management. 2 hours and more. Urban waste management and its impact on water control. Education in urban waste management in context of climate change.

Dissolving Disasters

Disaster risk.1-2 hours. Become donors or subsistence farmers and face changing risks. Decision making under uncertainty, role of donors in humanitarian work.

Disarming Disasters

Disaster risk. Simulation. 1-2 hours. Take on a role of a subsistence farmer who has to choose to prepare for flood or for drought. The game is a great tool for training.

Before the Storm

Disaster management. 1-2 hours. Participants, split up into groups, are given a series of weather forecasts laid out at 10 days, 48 hours, and 12-hour intervals.

Aqua Republica

Climate policy. 1-2 hours. The world mechanics are explained via the “Breaking News” which are displayed to the player. Promoting sustainable resources management.

Teaching, Learning and Practicing Sustainability Through Serious Games

Water Games