The project is in early development.
Cofactor is a chronic wasting disease-themed role‑playing video game designed to educate players about the science, health concerns, ecology, regulations, cultural impact, and ethical considerations surrounding this disease. The player navigates a story that changes according to decisions made, location, local regulations, and advances in science. The player adopts a role and faces challenges and dilemmas, unlocking other roles as they progress.
We've built a framework. We're asking your help to fill it in.
Cofactor is being developed for agencies, organizations, and educators. How can it support your outreach efforts and CWD management objectives? One of our first sample storylines challenges the player to select from a series of images a tissue sample that would be suitable for testing. How else could the game impart skills? How can we build out an outreach tool to better complement your messaging? Our beta version is an inspired draft, inviting collaboration to complete.
Everyone has a part to play in the fight against CWD.
A game can help the next generation to find their roles.
In many respects, a role‑playing game is a compelling outreach resource for CWD. Firstly, everyone has a role to play in addressing this ecological issue. Yet, stakeholders are often not aware of what's at stake for them and how they can be involved. At every one of our outreach events, people ask us, "What can I do?" There is an opportunity here to demonstrate potential roles. Secondly, the game represents a learning tool that leverages the least threatening mode of science communication, non‑competitive play. Players learn through exploration, with rewards for curiousity rather than correct quiz answers, and by looking at the issue from different perspectives—by playing different roles. Outcomes aren't tied to their own (or a particular) identity that might activate defenses or prejudices. Thirdly, a role‑playing game makes an apt recruitment tool. Management efforts depend on the partnership of hunters. We need to ensure that as prevalence grows, hunting participation in affected areas remains strong. To encourage confidence, competence, and a conservation outlook, Cofactor allows players to step into a hunting role and confront real‑world scenarios, aiming to increase public recognition and support for the role of hunters in resource management.
For some players, this will represent the first time they might consider themselves in this role. It further allows experienced hunters and neophytes alike to envision themselves hunting in a CWD‑zone safely. A role‑playing experience can increase public confidence in hunters and hunters' confidence in themselves, so that CWD management plans can succeed. The activity is presented in the context of a cooperative effort between character roles. Another of these roles lets a player act as a natural resource manager. It exists as an unwritten narrative, but promises the same kind of public benefits as the game's hunting role, whether that is supporting efforts to educate the public about the practices of their local agency, or enticing players to consider a career as a natural resource manager.
It's web‑based and open to a world of possibilities.
So, are you game?
Thoughts? Questions? That's why we reached out! We're interested in hearing from you!
This project is being developed at the Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach at the University of Minnesota. Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative‑Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).