Storyline

Microlandia considers the good, the bad, and the sometimes uncomfortable aspects of living in the city through an elaborate socioeconomic simulation that draws on real-world data obtained from open sources such as World Bank Open Data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and data published by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). Its simulation is based on mathematical models generally used for socioeconomic research, with a depth rarely seen in a video game, allowing for levels of realism capable of explaining to players the impact of their decisions. However, the seriousness of the simulation is highly contrasted by a narrative full of humor and a city fraught with fortuitous incidents that can lead the mayor’s office to bankruptcy. Players must be attentive to elements within the game that can help them diagnose what is happening in their locality, for example, through the census, or by reading the comments of a sensationalist press that critically follows every step of the highest authority.