PRESS RELEASE – The ACE-EX Serious Game entitled ACE Farmer Expert is a strategic management simulation where players take on the role of a farmer managing vineyards, olive groves, and hemp fields, with the goal of maximizing yield and product quality while ensuring environmental sustainability. Designed as an endless game, it operates in annual cycles where players oversee the cultivation, production, and transformation of wine, oil, and hemp. Each crop shares fundamental cultivation stages but differs in its processing and waste management, requiring players to make strategic decisions that balance productivity, sustainability indicators, and long-term soil health. Currently under development by the team (in particular Brunella Botte as game designer and Andrea Leganza as game developer) coordinated by Softcare Studios, an Italian company with almost 10 years long experience in emerging technologies applied also for training and education and technical partner of the consortium, the game provides an engaging and scientifically grounded experience that effectively communicates sustainability principles. Its intended target audience consists of adults aged 20 to 40, particularly non-experts who may have to make decisions about vine, olive and hemp cultivation, but lack formal agricultural training. To tailor the game to this audience, a preliminary analysis was conducted through expert interviews across ACE-EX project partner countries, supplemented by questionnaires to gather information on sustainable farming practices and key challenges faced by non-specialist cultivators.
The game serves multiple functions: it supports the ACE-EX project’s dissemination efforts by making sustainability concepts accessible, raises awareness among cultivators about strategies for producing wine, oil, and hemp derivatives efficiently, and introduces circular economy principles to a non-expert audience in an interactive and engaging way. From a learning perspective, it explains the entire cultivation process, from farming to waste management, while reinforcing correct waste management practices and their environmental and economic benefits. The game also highlights the risks associated with soil exploitation and improper waste disposal, demonstrating the negative consequences of unsustainable agricultural practices. On an awareness-raising level, it emphasizes the importance of adopting responsible production methods, managing product life cycles effectively, and understanding the long-term benefits of sustainable farming. By integrating these objectives into a gamified format, ACE-EX Serious Game offers an innovative way to foster engagement, encourage behavioural change, and bridge the knowledge gap for individuals who may not otherwise engage with sustainability-focused training.
Beyond education, the impact of this project extends into the broader agricultural and environmental sectors. As climate change and resource depletion threaten global food security, solutions that promote sustainable land use and responsible farming are essential. Traditional training programs often struggle to reach a wider audience, but serious games like ACE-EX aim to provide an interactive, accessible, and scalable approach to raising awareness and driving real-world change. By immersing players in decision-making scenarios, the game encourages critical thinking, allowing users to see the direct consequences of their choices in a low-risk environment, making it a powerful tool for behavioural adaptation. Additionally, it promotes a practical appreciation for the circular economy by showing how waste can be minimized and transformed into valuable byproducts, reinforcing the economic incentives behind sustainable practices.
Serious games like ACE-EX can contribute to wider sustainability initiatives by acting as an educational tool for future professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in agricultural development. They provide data-driven insights into how different strategies are perceived and applied by players, which can potentially help inform future policies and training programs aimed at improving agricultural sustainability. Moreover, by engaging younger demographics and those outside traditional farming communities, it has the potential to spark interest in sustainable agriculture as a career path, further driving innovation in the sector.
ACE Farmer Expert wants to be more than just an educational tool—it represents a forward-thinking approach to sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and digital transformation. By leveraging interactive storytelling and strategic decision-making, it not only enhances learning but also inspires a mindset shift towards responsible cultivation and long-term environmental stewardship. This project highlights how digital solutions can bridge knowledge gaps, empower decision-makers, and drive systemic change, making it a valuable initiative in the fight for a more sustainable future.
Bergamo, 13/02/2024
