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The Gaming of Policy and the Politics of Gaming: A Review

Author

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  • Igor S. Mayer

    (Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, i.s.mayer@tudelft.nl)

Abstract

This article examines the foundations of gaming and related concepts, such as policy exercises and serious gaming, in a public policy making context. Examining the relevant publications in Simulation & Gaming since 1969, the author looks back at the development of gaming simulation for purposes such as public policy analysis and planning, and reviews the underlying theories and empirical evidence. The author highlights the recognition that the success of gaming for policy making derives largely from the unique power of that gaming to capture and integrate both the technical-physical and the social-political complexities of policy problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Igor S. Mayer, 2009. "The Gaming of Policy and the Politics of Gaming: A Review," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 40(6), pages 825-862, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:simgam:v:40:y:2009:i:6:p:825-862
    DOI: 10.1177/1046878109346456
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Donella H. Meadows & Jennifer M. Robinson, 2002. "The electronic oracle: computer models and social decisions," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 18(2), pages 271-308, June.
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    6. Martijn Kuit & Igor S. Mayer & Martin de Jong, 2005. "The INFRASTRATEGO game: An evaluation of strategic behavior and regulatory regimes in a liberalizing electricity market," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 36(1), pages 58-74, March.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Moozhan Shakeri, 2022. "Unstable Wormholes: Communications Between Urban Planning and Game Studies," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(2), pages 218-228.
    2. Sama’a Hamed AlMubarak, 2023. "Students as policymakers and policy advocates: Role-playing evidence-based health policies," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 54(1), pages 45-67, February.
    3. Datu Buyung Agusdinata & Heide Lukosch & Muhammad Hanif & David Watkins, 2023. "A Playful Approach to Household Sustainability: Results From a Pilot Study on Resource Consumption," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 54(1), pages 104-130, February.
    4. Lobna Hassan, 2017. "Governments Should Play Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 48(2), pages 249-267, April.
    5. Abdullah Eren Demirel & Ela Alanyalı Aral, 2025. "Board Game as a Participatory Design Technique for Urban Spaces: A Ludological Analysis," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 56(5), pages 426-450, October.
    6. Jop van den Hoogen & Sebastiaan Meijer, 2015. "Gaming and Simulation for Railway Innovation," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(5), pages 489-511, October.
    7. Dong-Young Kim, 2014. "Understanding Integrated Environmental Assessment in a Multi-Stakeholder Negotiation via Role-Play," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 45(1), pages 125-145, February.
    8. Leon de Caluwé & Jac Geurts & Wouter Jan Kleinlugtenbelt, 2012. "Gaming Research in Policy and Organization," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 43(5), pages 600-626, October.
    9. Geertje Bekebrede & Julia Lo & Heide Lukosch, 2015. "Understanding Complex Systems Through Mental Models and Shared Experiences," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(5), pages 536-562, October.
    10. Geertje Bekebrede & Julia Lo & Heide Lukosch, 2015. "Understanding Complexity," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(5), pages 447-454, October.
    11. Timo Ohnmacht & Widar von Arx & Norbert Schick & Philipp Wegelin & Jonas Frölicher, 2015. "Transportation Modeling as a Didactic Tool," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(5), pages 563-590, October.
    12. Sebastiaan A. Meijer & Igor S. Mayer & Jelle van Luipen & Natasha Weitenberg, 2012. "Gaming Rail Cargo Management," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 43(1), pages 85-101, February.
    13. Korina Katsaliaki & Navonil Mustafee, 2015. "Edutainment for Sustainable Development," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(6), pages 647-672, December.
    14. John Sterman & Travis Franck & Thomas Fiddaman & Andrew Jones & Stephanie McCauley & Philip Rice & Elizabeth Sawin & Lori Siegel & Juliette N. Rooney-Varga, 2015. "World Climate," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(3-4), pages 348-382, June.
    15. Pieter Valkering & Rutger van der Brugge & Astrid Offermans & Marjolijn Haasnoot & Heleen Vreugdenhil, 2013. "A Perspective-Based Simulation Game to Explore Future Pathways of a Water-Society System Under Climate Change," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 44(2-3), pages 366-390, April.
    16. Sami Torssonen, 2017. "Procedures of Commodification: Case Livestock Welfare," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 48(4), pages 498-512, August.
    17. Nils Matzner & Robert Herrenbrück, 2017. "Simulating a Climate Engineering Crisis," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 48(2), pages 268-290, April.
    18. Marcin Wardaszko & Błażej Podgórski, 2017. "Mobile Learning Game Effectiveness in Cognitive Learning by Adults: A Comparative Study," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 48(4), pages 435-454, August.
    19. Sebastiaan Meijer, 2015. "The Power of Sponges," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(5), pages 512-535, October.
    20. David Crookall, 2010. "Serious Games, Debriefing, and Simulation/Gaming as a Discipline," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 41(6), pages 898-920, December.
    21. Klaus Eisenack & Diana Reckien, 2013. "Climate Change and Simulation/Gaming," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 44(2-3), pages 245-252, April.

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