Roommate Simulator
Financial Literacy Board Game
2022 | 16 weeks
SPONSORED PROJECT: huntington bank
PROJECT TYPE: game design, UX/UI, brand identity, user research
OBJECTIVE: Middle schooler are not given the adequate educational attention they need to become financially prepared as an economic citizen. This project addresses a solution that enforces risk-taking and budget management to provide an opportunity to spend money in a preparative scenario.
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What is the game?
Roommate Simulator is a multiplayer budgeting board game that demonstrates the risk involved in having a work-life balance. After players collectively decide on a house they want to “live” in, they will review their monthly financial responsibilities. In order to avoid getting evicted, which will result in everyone’s liability, players will need to make careful budgeting decisions.
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Middle schoolers are not given adequate tools both in and outside of the classroom to experiment with money. This lack of opportunity leads to future reckless spending habits and a numbed sense of monetary value. This board game will extend this opportunity to experience the ins and outs of money flow. By giving these children a chance to step away from home and become fully financially responsible for their own success, they will have the financial freedom that will eventually be available to them while also inevitably facing the harsh reality of living on a budget.
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Primary Research
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Questionnaire
Survey sent out to 21 middle school parents
Conversation-based interview
Direct conversations with 4 middle school students & 2 parents
co-design:
allowance activity
What would 4 middle school kids use their money for?
co-design:
Lemonade stand activity
What is it like for middle school kids to start a business?
Game Testing
What games involve risk taking and budget management?
Secondary Research
To view secondary research click here!
Insights
Not all children have the opportunity to experiment with money which could lead to reckless spending habits in the future
Children who are raised closer under their guardian’s supervision grow to be more aware of their family’s financial condition
Very few tools outside of the classroom designed relevant for the developmental stages of a middle schooler
Brainstorming
Four-player board game to 'live with friends' alongside paying necessary bills
Game/personal budgeting app where users simulate a life to pay bills while transferring those financial skills to their real life habits
First Prototype ・ System Planning
Game Components
cards (job, allowance, action)・house boards・house decorations・calendar・price booklet・money
Job Cards (15x)
Allowance Cards (15x)
Action Cards (15x)
House Boards (4x)
House Decorations
Calendar
Price Booklet
Money ($1, $5, $10, $100, $1K)