Eunopia: Mission AI
Set in a distant future, the game takes place in Eunopia, a planet under the influence of AI and algorithms. Eunopia is a futuristic planet where artificial intelligence and algorithms have seamlessly merged with societal functions.
At the beginning of the game the player is introduced to the human protagonist Alai, who has crash landed on Eunopia.
Alai soon realises that Eunopia is under the control of AI and algorithms. They are evident in the prevalence of disinformation, the creation of echo chambers and filter bubbles, as well as the resulting societal dysfunctions and unhealthy media obsessions. Its impacts on the lives of Eunopians is more widespread than those experienced on Earth.
The Eunopians are unsure what to do about these rumours. You guide Alai on a series of missions, discovering clues and solving puzzles.
As the player explores the alien cityscape, they discover peculiar places and hidden areas. They meet and talk with Eunopians, non-playable characters (NPCs), which allows them to gather information about Eunopia and the AI’s impact on their society.
The objective of the game is to uncover the truth behind the various rumors circulating on the planet. Each rumor corresponds to a series of clues that the player must collect. These rumours fall into 4 themes, the same as those of the Algowatch quizzes: climate change, democracy and citizenship, online relationships, health and well-being.
Alai assists the Eunopians to understand the pervasive influence of algorithms and AI in different parts of their lives and teaches them how to control its influence and fact check the numerous rumours that are circulating.
In addition, there are minigames in the game, designed for a shorter game experience. Each has several stages that offer puzzles designed to encourage critical thinking about different types of algorithms and AI. Each of these minigames is an opportunity for the player to acquire new skills in Algo-AI literacy. Each time the player solves a rumor or minigame, they receive a “trophy” as a reward.
The interactions between the player and the Eunopians are metaphors for the actions that can be taken to master algorithms and informational AI systems. They interactively tell the story of the knowledge needed to understand and counter online disinformation.
This game is designed as a single player game.
However, it can be played in teams of two or in collective mode to encourage debate. The game can be played in two modes: full story and minigame mode, or minigame only mode.
The game is available to play in English, French, Croatian and Portuguese.
Designing the Game
Eunopia: Mission AI was designed by researchers at the National University of Ireland at Maynooth (NUIM) and University College Dublin (UCD). It aims to engage players and develop their critical thinking about algorithms, AI and mis/disinformation.
The starting point for the game design was the Algorithms/AI competency framework developed within AlgoWatch by Savoir Devenir, which is also used in the quizzes and accompanying documents of the project.
The design and stories were informed by co-creation sessions with 100 teenagers in Ireland and members of the youth panel of Webwise Ireland.
The game was playtested with the target age group in all four partner countries.
Through four interactive adventure stories and a minigame, the player is encouraged to develop their understanding of how algorithms and AI influence what they see online and to develop strategies to take control of the content they engage with online in order to reduce their negative impacts.
The focus is on learning skills related to understanding the basic functionalities of AI and algorithms, with a focus on information and disinformation, through minigames in which the player encounters various behaviours of AI systems and algorithms.
Player missions are based on the actions people can take in their everyday life to master algorithms. They allow you to test your understanding of AI and learn through play.
Resources
Workshop Learning Support Document DONWLOAD | PDF 316KB
Technical Requirements to Play the Game DONWLOAD | PDF 264KB