Change Agent

Change Agent is an online strategy game for one to four players. The goal is to spread an idea or innovation through an organization while earning the approval of its members. Each player’s scores report organization members’ attitudes toward the innovation and their satisfaction with the player. Success depends on strategic expansion of the informal network, targeted communication, and use of organizational activities to increase grass-roots support. Each turn, players can choose among organizational actions and informal social influences to obtain information or convince others to support the innovation. Organizational options include top-down communication, training, positive messaging, committee formation, and surveys. Informal actions include discussion with other individuals, meeting with small groups, and asking favorable people to promote the innovation to their co-workers. The formal organization structure is visible from the beginning, and informal social ties become visible as the player interacts with organization members and learns more about the social network. Players can build new relationships for themselves and create opportunities for their supporters to build new relationships, and these ties affect subsequent social influences. Players see changes in their scores and competitors’ scores after each turn. Game statistics from each turn can be reviewed after the conclusion of the game. As players engage with Change Agent, they learn crucial skills for leading innovation in their own organizations.