About the Game
The Preserving Paradise Simulation is a highly interactive role-playing game for groups to explore the tension between economic growth through tourism and environmental degradation in Small Island Development States, with the example of the Maldives. In the game, participants take on the roles of different stakeholders and are charged with meeting the goals of ensuring economic prosperity and preserving the natural beauty. They negotiate over the terms to meet these goals, such as opening more and bigger resorts, making it easier for tourists to access the remote island and the resorts easier, reducing waste, etc.
The game is conducted as a simulated summit organized by the Government of the Maldives to establish a concrete plan to meet the two goals by bringing together government, tourism industry, and civil society representatives. It is a fun format for groups to explore policies and see what it would take to address this issue. The Preserving Paradise Simulation was co-developed by the ESB Business School of Reutlingen University (Germany) and the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland).
In the game, participants explore the complex interplay between tourism-driven economic growth and environmental degradation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with the Maldives as a case study. The game is designed around the interactive version of a simulator published in Kapmeier & Goncaves (2018). The simulator provides real-time feedback to users and enables them users to test policies on their own.
How does it work?
The Preserving Paradise Simulation is an interactive role-playing game set in a fictional summit on the future development of the Maldives. Participants take on the roles of different stakeholder groups. The groups negotiate strategies over multiple rounds. The facilitator, in the role of the Maldives’ former president, welcomes the delegations, states the problem, and invites the participants to negotiate over the strategies. Each round, the delegations present their suggestions in a plenary presentation, followed by the facilitator, in her role, assessing the impact of the proposal on the economy and the environment with the PPS simulator.
In the game, participants learn how to work together to reach an agreement reducing cumulative waste in the Maldives while enjoying economic growth. Throughout the event, participants are confronted with the SDGs, engage in political drama, and test their solutions with the simulator. The aim is to provide an interactive exploration of sustainable development complexities and the delicate balance between environmental preservation and economic factors.
The Preserving Paradise Simulation is ideal for groups ranging from 8 to 50 people and can be conducted online or in-person. While on average, the game lasts for about 1.5 hours, the game can be condensed to just 60 minutes or extended to 2.5 hours, if needed. The game is versatile and is aimed at different target groups, including students, community members, business professionals and policy makers. All necessary game materials including the simulator are accessible for free via this website.
Leading the Game
The Preserving Paradise Simulation is a role-playing game set in a fictional summit on the future of the Maldives. The facilitator, acting as the former Maldives’ president, guides participants representing various interest groups. Groups negotiate strategies in rounds, interacting with each other. The facilitator employs the PPS simulator to assess the impact of each group’s actions on environmental and economic parameters.
The Preserving Paradise Simulation is a role-playing game set in a fictional summit on the future of the Maldives. The facilitator, acting as the Maldives’ president, guides participants representing various interest groups. Groups negotiate strategies in rounds, interacting with each other. The facilitator employs the WPAS simulator to assess the impact of each group’s actions on environmental and economic parameters.
Connect with Facilitators
Preserving Paradise Facilitators
Prof. Dr. Florian Kapmeier - ESB Business School
Daniel Uphoff - Chalmers University of Technology
Prof. Dr. Paulo Goncalves - Università della Svizzera italiana
