Working With System Dynamics

Sugar Rush is a strategic game that aims to teach players about the marketing tactics used by food companies to encourage sugar consumption and the challenges faced by health organizations trying to promote healthy habits. The game is designed for players who can read English and are familiar with American culture, particularly those in their 10s and 20s.

Values: The values that Sugar Rush promotes include awareness of the impact of sugar on health, the tactics used by food companies to market their products, and the challenges faced by health organizations in promoting healthy habits. By playing the game, players will gain a better understanding of the dynamics between these two entities and how they can collaborate or clash to achieve their goals.

Loops: The game has a looping structure that allows players to make choices and take actions based on the information they receive during each round. The loop involves drawing an event card, which provides players with information that may benefit or hinder their progress. Players then decide on an action they can take within the rules of the game, such as purchasing an action card, using an action card, getting money from the bank, or spending money on marketing to gain more people cards. The round ends when all the people cards for that round have been obtained, and the process repeats for the next round.

Arcs: The game has an overarching arc that involves three rounds. The winner is the team that has the most people cards at the end of the game. Each round begins with 15 people cards to obtain, and teams draw one event card at the start of each round that affects the gameplay. The game economy is balanced between money acquired and gathering people, which affects the frequency of each round and the pacing of the game.

In conclusion, Sugar Rush is a game that offers players an opportunity to learn about the marketing tactics used by food companies and the challenges faced by health organizations in promoting healthy habits. The looping structure of the game allows players to make choices and take actions based on the information they receive, while the overarching arc of three rounds provides a sense of progression and competition. By playing the game, players can gain a better understanding of the dynamics between food companies and health organizations and how they can work together to promote healthy habits.

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