PECUNIA - A LIFE SIMULATION GAME FOR FINANCE EDUCATION

Abstract

Research literature from around the world suggests that younger children can benefit from finance education as much as older ones if not more. Playing games is also equally attractive for children and young adults, so combining finance education with games can provide them with opportunities for learning about different financial decision through trial-and-error without putting themselves into risk situation. Pecunia - the game world - is developed with exactly this aim in mind. Pecunia in Latin means money. Pecunia utilizes the open-source platform OpenSim (similar to Second Life) where students take the role of an 18 years old male/female character and live his/her life in terms of
making various financial decisions and see through the consequences. The game provides a sound underpinning of the skills needed to make good financial decisions, hence preparing students for being good citizens in later life. The financial rules can be changed so the game can be used worldwide for people in different countries.