CO2-challenge boardgame

The CO2-challenge game is a boardgame focussed around maritime sustainability. Players are introduced in the diversity and complexity of the issues the maritime sector is faced today. The game stimulates discussions and coordination between different disciplines amongst the crew (players) generating new insights and options for coherent actions.

At its core, the board game is a resource management game. A group of 6 to 12 participants man a fleet that sails around the world on its way to various destinations. A fleet consists of three different types of ships: a frigate, cruise ship and containership. Each ship has its own qualities and challenges. 

The ships carry various materials such as money, fuel and a representation of the satisfaction of their crew. The task is to balance these different materials as well as possible during the ‘missions’ at sea. For every step the boats sail, they have to invest fuel, emitting CO2 in the process. The amount of CO2 that the ships emit together acts as a scoring mechanism, they have to reach as many destinations as possible before they reach a fatal CO2 limit. 

Along the way, the crews are faced with various dilemmas. An example of a dilemma could be whether the crew wants to invest in a new type of antifouling, a type of paint layer that prevents micro-organisms from sticking to the ship. Each dilemma answer has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is up to the ship’s crew to make the right assessment so that they can still reach the destination.

At an abstract level, the game should create awareness among seafarers by initiating the conversation around CO2 emissions and possible options. In order to play the game properly, players must trade among themselves and discuss the various topics that the game generates. The necessary cooperation within the fleet (and therefore different types of ships) plays a decisive role in this.

This Xploration sets out to expand this basic game. By developing different sets of dilemma cards, the game can be calibrated to, for example, the provision of information by a specific organization, introducing an innovative technique or stimulating team effectiveness. This makes the CO2 challenge board game a modular board game with a diverse range of learning objectives.