Pandemic resilience serious game: crafting an educational strategy board game

The main goal of this paper is to present the concept, design, and development of a serious board game called Pandemic Resilience Serious Game (PRSG). Designed for a variety of users including current and future pandemic managers, PRSG is a serious strategy board game that blends education and entertainment to immerse players in the complexities of public health pandemic management. Some of the key educational objectives of the PRSG include enhancing players’ understanding of pandemic dynamics, honing decision-making skills, fostering collaboration and communication, and highlighting the real-world relevance of pandemic management.

To design and develop the PRSG, we have applied standard strategy board game design while (a) examining popular board games like Pandemic, Democracy4, Plague Inc., and Fate of the World, (b) compiling and incorporating key lessons learned and challenges observed during the COVID-19 global pandemic, (c) framing the decision-making processes within the public health emergency operations centers’ roles and responsibilities, and (d) focusing on collaboration, consensus, and communication.

The PRSG has three phases corresponding to various phases of a pandemic, and each phase has four rounds corresponding to evolving conditions in each phase. When playing the PRSG, players assume the roles of key public health emergency operations center decision-makers, including operations managers, planning specialists, mental health advocates, and finance managers. Each role brings unique strengths and responsibilities to the table, mirroring the diversity of challenges faced in real-world decision-making. Players must allocate vital and limited resources, implement policies under uncertainties, and respond to dynamic and evolving events in three phases of the game, including environmental challenges, transportation, and supply chain disruptions amid a pandemic.

PRSG is a novel and meticulously crafted serious strategy board game that transcends traditional boundaries. Combining the captivating allure of tabletop gaming with the educational power to foster a deeper understanding of pandemic dynamics, this game represents a transformative fusion of entertainment and enlightenment. Also, through immersive gameplay, PRSG equips players with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions during pandemic emergencies.