- 45min
- free
- unlimited
- English, Estonian, Finnish, Italian
Description
In a digital simulation game EUcraft, players act as a national minister of an EU country negotiation and making compromises with other players and computer players over topics such as electronics common charger, single-use plastics, and eco buildings. The game is part of the EU learning corner created by EU to teach youth over 15 years old EU decision making by simulating decision making with the game. Each country in the game starts with a different initial position that player tries to reach. The game is available on mobile devices and PC.
Method & Activity Information.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Session location: Tampere Youth Council
- Test date: 26/08/2025
- Duration: 45min
- Costs: free
- Materials used: Computer or mobile phone
- Youth participated:
- Registration: none
Case Description
In GameIN research project we wanted to map and test gamified methods. We asked Tampere Youth Council if they were interested in testing gamified methods together. In this way, they can get information about gamified methods, and we can gather how good the game is. We aimed to recruit young people between ages 15-18 to play EUcraft, ask their feedback on the game, what did they learn, and where the game youth workers or teachers can use the game to support youth societal participation.
In total three youth participated in the workshop. We served them snacks and offered a prize from participation, a 10 € gift card to a Finnish supermarket chain.
Method Usage
We hosted EUcraft gaming session in Tampere youth services facilities. For the session we prepared slide presentation to guide the session and provide links to the participants. After playing the game, we asked them feedback: what did they learn and where the game could be used to support youth societal participation.
Youth played the game 3 times alternating with the topics and devices to play the game. After each game we asked young people their opinions on how the game went.
Youth think the game has an interesting concept, but it does not work properly and sometimes even has game breaking bugs. Youth expressed they learned about EU decision making. Especially during the breaks in the game, players can earn points from answering expert questions of the game’s topic. This educated youth about the topics at play. Participants thought the game could be used in elementary school (6th grade) or in middle school. The expert questions may be too difficult for elementary school students.
Method & Activity Feedback
Facilitator
Category
Likert-7 AVG
Description
Effectiveness
6.5
Efficiency
4.7
Learnability
5.7
Enjoyability
6.3
Adaptability
5
Feedback (recommendation)
6
Observer
Category
Likert-7 AVG
Description
Engagement & Participation
6.5
Comprehension & Knowledge
5.9
Game Mechanics & Functionality
5.2
Participant Experience
Category
Likert-7 AVG
Description
Enjoyment
6.3
Participants enjoyed the game
Usability
5.6
A participant commented while the game is fun, it’s also buggy
Learnability
5.8
Participants learned about the topics during breaks when answering expert questions.
Recommendation score
7
Positive
Negative
Suggestions & tips
“Good concept and playing is fun, but the game itself is quite buggy.”
“Pretty fun, but it would be easier to start playing if info slides were shown. All the time spent reading instructions takes away from negotiating and winning.” – In the beginning of each game plays a introduction segment where a narrator presents the topic at hand to players. However, a player can skip the presentation to go straight to play. Unfortunately, this is the best strategy if a player wants to win, because then they save time to get more points, but it inhibits learning.
The randomly picked country seems to affect the playing experience: “When it works, it’s kind of fun to say ‘switch to my side.’ But if your own country doesn’t have sensitive topics or key issues, then it’s more boring. I played as Finland twice, so that was more fun. Otherwise, I’m just casually going along.” Also, other participant commented: ”Finland is a really annoying country to negotiate with, very strict.”
One participant commented: ”I don’t even like my own opinion”.
Participants didn’t know where they got points.
Game has some technical and user interface issues: “Scrolling in small windows is misleading; you don’t notice that there’s text hidden below.” The game froze for 2 players, so they couldn’t negotiate anymore, when there was 13 min of gametime left.
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