I have an idea for a video game that can teach microeconomics. It would create a persistent low-graphics world similar to what’s in the game Travian and would require no artificial intelligence. Unfortunately, I can’t program beyond the level of what they teach in codecademy. Do you have suggestions for people I could contact to get financial support for my game? I’m the author of a microeconomics textbook and so I think I have a credible background for this project.
Hmm. I haven’t really looked into any actual funding agencies or the “getting money for this” side at this point, so I don’t know much about that, but I can think of some researchers who might either have an interest in collaborating, or who could know more direct sources of funding. Two groups that come to mind who might be worth contacting in this regard are GAPS and Institute of Play. I’ll let you know if I think of any others. (If you do contact them, I’d be curious to hear about the response.)
I would love to make money off of it, and have a revenue model but I would also be willing to do it for free.
My school doesn’t have econ grad students. Also, it wouldn’t be a good career move for a grad student who wanted to become a professor to devote lots of time to this.
So the target market is economics departments at other colleges/universities? You’re are talking essentially about a piece of education software sold to institutions, not to end users/players.
In this case, I think, you’ll have to make a business case for the proposition. I am not sure enough people will find this idea fun enough to contribute their time for free.
Another point: do you really have to develop a new game from scratch? Doing a mod of an existing game or engine is likely to be vastly simpler and cheaper.
I have an idea for a video game that can teach microeconomics. It would create a persistent low-graphics world similar to what’s in the game Travian and would require no artificial intelligence. Unfortunately, I can’t program beyond the level of what they teach in codecademy. Do you have suggestions for people I could contact to get financial support for my game? I’m the author of a microeconomics textbook and so I think I have a credible background for this project.
Hmm. I haven’t really looked into any actual funding agencies or the “getting money for this” side at this point, so I don’t know much about that, but I can think of some researchers who might either have an interest in collaborating, or who could know more direct sources of funding. Two groups that come to mind who might be worth contacting in this regard are GAPS and Institute of Play. I’ll let you know if I think of any others. (If you do contact them, I’d be curious to hear about the response.)
What is the intended audience for this game? Why, do you think, people will play it?
Students taking introductory or intermediate microeconomics. Instructors would require their students to play.
Ah, so this is purely non-commercial, a course teaching aid, basically.
Can’t you rope some grad students into doing this?
I would love to make money off of it, and have a revenue model but I would also be willing to do it for free.
My school doesn’t have econ grad students. Also, it wouldn’t be a good career move for a grad student who wanted to become a professor to devote lots of time to this.
So the target market is economics departments at other colleges/universities? You’re are talking essentially about a piece of education software sold to institutions, not to end users/players.
In this case, I think, you’ll have to make a business case for the proposition. I am not sure enough people will find this idea fun enough to contribute their time for free.
Another point: do you really have to develop a new game from scratch? Doing a mod of an existing game or engine is likely to be vastly simpler and cheaper.