An online serious game for decision-making on food-water-energy nexus policy

Abstract

Food-water-energy nexus is a complex problem characterized by multiple alternatives, conflicting objectives, and multiple uncertainties about key drivers like climate change, urbanization, and population growth. Serious games are becoming a popular means to support decision-makers who are responsible for the management of urban food, water, and energy systems. However, the effectiveness of these games in improving decision-making and the quality of their outcomes remains low. Therefore, in this paper, we developed a serious game, namely S.N.O.G., which offers a safe decision-making environment where impacts of decisions may be tested and rated. Methodologically, S.N.O.G. is developed based on a combination of multi-objective optimization programing and game theory. Spatial representation, forecast, automatic feedback, ease of information communication, transparency, ease of modification add to the competence of S.N.O.G.’s application into effective decision-making for food-water-energy nexus. The game was tested in a smart-eco district in the Netherlands for which balanced food production, water management and energy generation is the goal. By using an activity theory-based model, we evaluated and mapped how S.N.O.G. contributes to the advancement in decision-making. Our research shows the game helped participants identify and indicate key drivers of integrated resource management, and how the game can strengthen the learning policy outcomes.