A Population Management Sim

Gabby DizonFlipSide Games

About the Philippines

» Population: 90M (12th worldwide)» Per-capita GDP: US $2,150 (2007)» 29.5M living below $1.35/day» Population growth rate – 2.3%

(HUGE)» Key issue: Managing population to

raise overall economic growth

About the PCPD

» Philippine Center for Population Development

» Non-profit foundation concerned with population management in the Philippines

» Provides grant to policy research and action programs promoting linkage between population and development

Project Development

» In 2008, PCPD contacted FlipSide Games to submit a proposal for development of a population development game

» Goal: Education the Filipino public (especially youth) of the effects of population growth on economic development

Why Make a Game?

» Easy way to target youth demoraphic

» Instill key population development concepts without “preaching”

» Huge potential to spread virally

Project Development

» Total grant amount: Php1.795M (~USD $35,000) including grantee counterpart

» Flash-based city simulation game similar to SimCity mechanics

» Modeled after actual Philippine city data of population rate, % growth and economy

Project Execution

» Release the game free to play targeting 12-29 year old demographic

» Create awareness of the game with marketing and PR campaign

» Capture database of players to be used for further population development studies

» Insert SimPop in schools during Social Studies classes about population development

» Ultimately raise awareness of population development concerns among ordinary Filipinos

Project Execution

» Project launch: June 2009 (start of Philippine school year) to last 1 year

» Seek additional revenue in the form of in-game advertisements

» Dual purpose: Use additional funds for game operations/upgrades and provide the PCPD with additional funds to implement more grants

SimPop Screenshot

Maybe, just maybe…

» If SimPop can make even the slightest dent in the Philippines’ growth rate, the game will have done some good in this world!

Thank You!

» Gabby Dizon» gabby@flipsidegames.net» www.flipsidegames.net» www.simpop.ph