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The game is fun to play. It puts you
in charge of a nation's economy. One person can play the game
against
1 to 6 other persons and/or computer managed countries. Because
it
is educational and based upon the fundamental principles of
macroeconomics,
it is a useful and practical product for the following:
"The Global Economics Game represents an excellent vehicle
for providing impetus and stimulation for students to learn more about
macroeconomics. Students learn about the difficulties and
tradeoffs
associated with stabilizing and balancing a nation's economy through
the
use of discretionary economic policies, all within the framework of a
challenging
and fun game. The game realistically simulates the interactive
economic
performance of nations based on (1) fiscal, international, and monetary
policies supplied by the student 'policy makers' and (2) a set of
predetermined
socioeconomic competitive conditions and shocks that are changing
throughout
the game."
-- C. T. de Arrigunaga, Ph.D., President of Financial Consulting
-- Adjunct Senior Professor in MBA Program at Golden Gate University
-- Adjunct Professor in International Graduate Finance Program at
University of California, Berkeley
System Requirements: IBM
PC
or COMPATIBLE WINDOWS 95 or 98/NT/XP
DRIVE
CD ROM 16 MB RAM
Featuring The First Decade of the 21st Century
and the Original 20th Century Economic History Game
We
are very excited about
the latest edition of The Global Economics Game. In
addition
to the
original
game which includes the regular version and a simulation of the economic
history
of the United States from 1900 to 1999, this latest version includes a
simulation of the first decade of the 21st century plus the years
2010-2011. It portrays
macroeconomic
principles and policies in their historical context. You can play
one or more decades at a time. The player with the highest score
at the end of the selected time period wins the game! The United
States economy performs just as it actually did historically. The
other economies selected will behave similarly, but players are able to
use polices to improve the performance of their economies.
There
were many significant economic events and policies that occurred
between 2000 and 2011. China joined the WTO in 2000, 9/11
occurred in 2001, and Facebook was introduced in 2004 which was about
the same time as the "Big Dig" in Boston. YouTube came in 2005
along with Hurricane Katrina. The Dow Jones Index peaked at
14,164 on October 9, 2007. After that it went into a freefall
along with plummeting housing prices, and the sub-prime mortgage crisis
ensued. The period at the end of the decade was dubbed "The Great
Recession" as unemployment rates exceeded 9 per cent. Government
policy reacted with the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in 2008
and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka "The Stimulus") in
2009 -- pumping nearly $900 billion of government spending into the
economy with borrowed money. The Decade Chart that you will see
in game is shown below:
The
original 20th Century Economic History Game is still an
alternative. It simulates American economic history from 1900 to
1999.
At the beginning of the 20th century there will be very little inflation, because countries were on the gold standard. But World War I will bring galloping inflation. Following a turbulent post war recession, the Roaring 20s will be prosperous until the great stock market crash of 1929. During the 1930s everyone will be trying to get out of the Great Depression. The economic effects of World War II will dominate the 1940s. The 1950s and 1960s run more smoothly. In the 1970s and early 1980s stagflation caused by two oil shocks will be the challenge. The United States is very difficult to beat in the 1990s, because it was a prosperous decade of balanced growth and disinflation. The game also includes a simulation of the first four years of the 21st century including the global recession that began in 2001.
Although the focus of the
game
is the historical economic performance of the United States, the game
includes
Decade
Events that pertain to other countries as well. Many of
the
world's most significant events of the 20th and 21st centuries are
included
in the game. Other events are more a matter of interest than
significance.
The events depicted below are a small sample of
more than 200 events
that occur in the 20th century history version of the game.
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Decade Charts: For each decade there is an attractive and informative chart depicting United States data for real GDP, unemployment, inflation, the federal budget, the stock market and interest rates, as well as interesting and significant events. The Decade Charts below are for the 1920s and 1990's.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY FEATURES . . .
. . . COMPUTER MANAGED COUNTRIES: These countries are advised and managed by Professor N.D. Cator, and he is a good Keynesian economist. In the 20th century version of the game his one year economic forecasts are accurate and he sets monetary policy accordingly. This gives him an advantage and makes him difficult to beat.
. . . LAISSEZ FAIRE COUNTRIES: These countries are programmed to move toward the center of the playing area most of the time. They represent the neo-classical theory that market economies automatically adjust to an economic imbalance. They are very competitive opponents and are quite capable of winning the game! This feature gives you the option to simulate the great theoretical debate between neo-classical and Keynesian economics. It adds a whole new dimension to the game and makes it that much more thought provoking, educational, and fun to play.
. . . RATINGS: At the end of the game, each player receives a rating for how well they played the game. The highest rating is assigned the title of "Chief Economist." The rest of the ratings descend as follows: Senior Economist, Associate Economist, Assistant Economist, Intern Economist, and Student Economist. The lowest rating is "Novice Economist."
Questions and Inquiries: If you have any questions regarding the game or its applications, please feel free to contact us at: Send E-mail to: econgame.
"I love the idea of adding the 20th century economic history
component
to the game. I think it adds greatly to its educational and
entertainment
value. The decade charts are colorful and interesting. I am
adopting the game for use in my Principles of Economics class next
semester."
-- Chris Austin, Economics Instructor
-- Normandale Community College, Bloomington, MN
"The 20th century economic history game is fun and
entertaining.
It allows players to realize the difficulty that governments have faced
in implementing policy to reduce business cycles."
-- Jeffrey Edwards, Assistant Professor of Economics
-- Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
"The 20th century economic history is a great addition to a great
game!
The opportunity to play each country against another in a multi-player
format is one of the better features of the game."
-- Dr. Jon-Eden Stern, Economics Professor
-- Remington College, San Diego, CA
"The 20th century economics game is a good way to look at how the
economics
have advanced over time and how the AD-AS structure has changed
alongside.
The game is easy to follow and very informative."
-- Robert Eyler, Associate Professor of Economics
-- Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
"The 20th century economics history is an excellent addition to the
game. It would be nice to have a version that focuses on Canadian
economic history."
-- Peter Tsigaris, Economics Professor
-- University College of the Cariboo, B.C., Canada
"The Global Economics Game and its 20th century economic history
feature
would be useful as a supplemental course activity to reinforce economic
concepts. It's not too difficult for students to understand."
-- Bruce Buckle, AP Economics Teacher
--Montoursville Area High School, PA
What users are saying: Here are some comments that we have received from teachers and students who have played the game in their classes at colleges and high schools:
(Note: The Global Economics Game was formerly called The World Game of Economics.)
"My special
honors section of Economics 1B (Principles of Macroeconomics) played
your
World
Game of Economics in our graduate student computer lab. It
was
a practice round for our class contest, and they enjoyed it very much.
One group decided to play as a team against two computer opponents, and
won! A second group just played against each other. The
third
group played against each other plus a computer opponent. We
didn't
make use of the laissez faire option at this time. The
students
came away thinking about the game and their strategies and began to
have
a glimmering of its relationship to the underlying economics.
They
eagerly borrowed all of the CDs to study the game for their homework
and
for the final round of the class contest. The winners get treated
to a dinner at the end of the semester. So it's working
well.
Thanks for creating the game."
-- Dr.
Peter Lindert, Professor of Economics at the University of California
at
Davis
-- Co-Author of International Economics Textbook
(McGraw-Hill
Publishers)
* * *
"The World Game of Economics presents nearly all of the
material
that we teach in a basic macroeconomics course in a most unique,
innovative,
and effective way."
-- Dr. Christine Farias, Oakton Community College in Des Plaines,
Illinois
* * *
"Many thanks for the new lesson plans that go with The World
Game
of Economics. Students seem to learn more with a structured
approach
to the game. The students in my large intro class use your game
as
part of their country journal exercise. The game has given them a
greater sense of consistent policy-making. I really appreciate
all
of the great service on the game, especially the World Economics
News
articles."
-- Dr. Caroline Fawcett, American University School of International
Service (Wash. D.C.)
* * *
"I teach
senior
economics students in Ontario, Canada. I used The World Game
of
Economics with a small class of eleven students. They have
all
enjoyed being able to make a variety of macroeconomic policy decisions
in an attempt to influence the GDP growth of their countries. As
an educator, it is nice to have a simple simulation that enables
students
to test their understanding of abstract economic ideas. My own
sense
is that the game is a useful tool for helping students differentiate
between
fiscal, monetary, and supply-side approaches to the economy. The
current events that occur during each player's turn are
excellent.
I like the product."
-- Bob
Childs, Economics Teacher at Napanee High School in Canada
* * *
"I was the fortunate winner of your scholarship contest last
year.
When I received the award I did not know what I would be doing with the
money. However, I just received my acceptance letter from
Stanford
University on early admission for next fall. I thought you would
like to know this, because that is where the money I received for your
contest will be going. I have been sending scholarship
applications
all over the place. Yours was the first one I received, and I
sincerely
want to thank you for making it available to me. It was pretty
encouraging
to receive it, and it was part of the reason that I sent my application
into Stanford. Thanks again."
-- Jessica Scalise, High School Student in Northern California,
USA
* * *
"Economics
is a hands-on science. One cannot simply sit down, open a book
and
suddenly master economic theories. Interaction with such a
complex
subject is imperative. By playing The World Game of Economics,
my knowledge of economics was brought to a higher level in that I am
dealing
with economic issues that countries actually face and I am seeing the
effects
of certain economic decisions. But an important aspect of the
game
is that it is fun! As I played, I did not think, 'I have to learn
economics now.' I was simply learning it. Many students
would
benefit greatly from this program. Economic terms are explained
clearly,
as are the consequences of each decision made. The game is
creative,
enjoyable, and a brilliant new method of teaching economics."
-- Meighan
Shaughnessy, Student at Santa Rosa Junior College in California, USA
* * *
"I was
pleased
to play The World Game of Economics in a classroom
setting.
I was really impressed with it. It's easy to learn to play and is
extremely visual with lots of pictures which makes it enjoyable.
I got a great understanding of what happens to the economy under
certain
situations. I learned a lot from this game. I should rather
say that this game cleared up a lot of confusion that I had about the
economy.
I would definitely recommend the game to anybody."
--
Community
College Student in California, USA
* * *
"At the lab
I find the game to be fun, exciting, and addictive. I keep trying
to beat the computer. I haven't been able to beat it yet, but I
will
keep trying until I win. It's a great game. Thanks for
inventing
it."
--
Community
College Student in California, USA
* * *
"I tried
several
times to beat the computer, but I lost anyway. When a classmate
and
I began playing the game against each other, it became easier and more
fun. I liked this way, because the two of us were almost always
even.
For example, at one point the scores were 70 to 68. We both felt
good about our knowledge in macroeconomics. I also liked it,
because
we both went into the red zone but were able to use our economic
policies
to get out of it. I have had a very worthwhile experience playing
The
World Game of Economics."
--
High School Student in California, USA
* * *
"The game's best quality, in my opinion, is
its
careful and thorough explanation of all the macro economics related
terms
and concepts. No one really loses in the game, because everyone
gains
a better understanding of the terms and concepts presented. Being
able to see how each current event pushed your country either closer to
or farther from the ideal location was also a plus and helped to
illustrate
the major effects of changes in aggregate demand and aggregate
supply.
Overall, my group and I enjoyed The World Game of Economics and
took away from it an experience that granted a sense of economic
enlightenment
on the subject matter."
-- High School Student in California, USA
* * *
The World Game of Economics was a very
interesting way of applying the economics that I had already learned in
class. The game is versatile, playable for enjoyment alone, yet
engrains
the economics that it demonstrates into the mind of the player. I
thought that the policy gridlock was a good touch, as the
government
is often plagued by such policy barriers. I found that the game
was
a unique way of making economics fun and a good way of committing the
effects
of various economic policies to memory. I also liked the
availability
of selecting from many different countries. To close, I think
that
your game is a very good program that demonstrates the effects of
various
influences on the economies in this world."
-- High School Student in California, USA
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education resources in economics on the worldwide web. |
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Ltsn as a macroeconomics teaching resource. |
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for both K-12 and college educators. |
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-- "an interactive economics policy game with a distinct international focus"-- |
Questions and Inquiries:
If you have any questions about the game or its applications, please
feel free to contact us at: Send
E-mail to: econgame.
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The World Game of
Economics
(C) 1999 Ronald W. Schuelke All Rights Reserved
The Global Economics
Game
(C) 2000-2004-2012 Ronald W. Schuelke All
Rights
Reserved
(click here to see where in the world the game is being played)