Foodscape - Are high levels of flow and simultaneous knowledge transfer in learning games compatible?

Abstract

The educational game Foodscape (www.foodscape.ch) conveys the complexities of the Swiss food system. It was developed for students at the age of 12-16 years. During the development of the game, the central question was: How can complex interrelationships – a core characteristic of food systems – be conveyed in a game so that it is still fun to play and causes flow feelings? The answer to this question resulted in a strategy game, where the players, as the ruler of an imaginary Switzerland have to make decisions in order to keep resources such as land, yield, the environment, and health in balance. Preliminary results indicate, that even though the content was reduced in the game and students enjoyed playing the game, the game flow levels were low. Nevertheless, the game proved to be suitable for initiating discussions about the food system and its sustainability.