TAJIRI: A 3D Simulation Game Teaching Financial Literacy

TAJIRI assesses player performance using a combination of objective financial metrics, behavioral tracking, and a post-game debrief. Here is how it works.

First, the primary measure of success is whether the player escapes “The Grind” – the game’s term for the rat race. This happens when their monthly passive income becomes greater than their total monthly expenses. The game tracks how many turns it takes to reach this point, and this is the main score used in the daily leaderboard.

Second, the game tracks the player’s total net worth, which includes their cash on hand plus the resale value of their assets minus any outstanding debts. This gives a clear picture of their overall financial health, independent of their monthly cashflow.

Third, the game records the number of assets acquired, the types of assets bought, and the ratio of passive income to active income. This helps evaluate whether the player is building a diversified portfolio or relying too heavily on their salary.

Fourth, the game tracks the player’s debt management. It records how often they borrow from the bank versus the Shylock, how quickly they repay loans, and whether they fall into a debt spiral that leads to bankruptcy. This is one of the most important indicators, as it directly measures financial discipline.

Fifth, the player’s decisions during family expense cards are recorded. The game notes whether they choose to pay or refuse, and the consequences they face as a result. This evaluates their ability to manage social and family pressure, which is a key real-life financial skill in the African context.

Sixth, after every game, win or lose, the debrief screen provides a detailed summary of the player’s performance. It shows what went right, what went wrong, the number of turns taken, the highest debt reached, the best investment made, and the worst mistake. This is where the player gets a clear, objective assessment of their strengths and weaknesses as a financial decision-maker.

Finally, for evaluators and quality assurance purposes, the game logs all relevant actions and events, which allows for a deeper analysis of player behavior, including decision-making patterns, risk tolerance, and learning curves over multiple sessions.

In short, TAJIRI does not rely on a single score. It provides a comprehensive, multi-dimensional assessment of financial literacy by tracking both the outcomes of the game and the choices that led to those outcomes.