SmileUrbo

SmileUrbo is an interactive, role-playing game that encourages players to deliberate issues and to cooperate in order to facilitate development in their community. The setting is a small village surrounded by mountains and nestled beside a lake in a developing country facing tough times. The unemployment rate soars while young people emigrate in search of a better future. The objective is to save their village, using an online interface throughout a game that tracks the well-being of the village and each individual. As a member of the village board, each player learns how to find a balance between personal and communal benefit as they vote on what actions to take. One day, an investor comes to town with a proposal to build a hotel. What would be best for the community? Realizing the effects of their actions causes the players to accept responsibility for the well-being of the community and understand how life in the village is interconnected. SmileUrbo is  a practical application of group decision-making giving users the opportunity to participate in democratic processes, learn cooperative strategies for community development, while becoming a conflict-resolving member of the community.