Demo

Video guides

FAQ

• Are there any technical requirements?

  The game is not supported by Internet Explorer.

• How do I organize the game step by step?

  The step by step process is listed below:

  1. Check if there is working wifi in the workshop location
  2. Connect the laptop to the wifi
  3. Connect the laptop to the projector
  4. Make sure that all the players can see the projected image
  5. On the laptop, enter the login box on www.smileurbo.com and type in the GAME’S CODE
  6. Select ´PLAY AS VILLAGE’
  7. Connect both mobile devices (preferably tablets) to the wifi
  8. Enter the GAME´S CODE and choose ´PLAY AS NGO`on one mobile device and ´PLAY AS INVESTOR´on the other
  9. Once the players have read their instructions, press the ´START THE GAME´ button in the Main Panel
  10. The NGO and the INVESTOR Panels will turn on automatically once you start the game from the Main Panel
  11. If you are planning to play the entire game throughout the same day, make sure that you have access to a fast printer.

  Please carefully read Part 1 of the Manual. There you will find detailed instructions on how to run the game.

• What should I do if I have more or less than 8 players?

  You can easily play with one less player. In this case, exclude the role of the NGO and all players have access to its application (NGO Analysis Panel). It is possible to play without two players, but it’s not recommended. If from one round to another a player leaves, you should find a substitute. On the other hand, it is possible to have two players performing the same role together, but this may reduce the educational value of the game. For this reason we do not recommend doing so.

  6 players: not recommended

  7 players: game without NGO

  8 players: standard game

  9 players: the additional player is the role of the Mayor (more information in Democracy chapter)

  10 players: additional players are the roles of Mayor and Investor

  11 players: not recommended

  12 players: not recommended

  13 players: not recommended

  14 players: two parallel teams of 7 people each (without NGO)

  15 players: two parallel teams of 7 people each (one of them without NGO)

• Do I need to download any programs in order to run SmileUrbo on our devices?

  No, one just needs internet connection to access SmileUrbo on the website.

• What are the uses of the different devices?

  A laptop is necessary for the Mayor (Traditional Farmer) to access the interface and control the Main Panel. The projector is essential so that the mayor can share the interface and voting results with the whole team. The interface of the game includes a budget, a map, demographics, allotted time, and project proposals for each round."

  The NGO and the Investor each need a tablet because they have separate panels. On their respective panels, the NGO can discover analyses of decisions made in the game, and the Investor has a separate budget which she/he can use in numerous ways.

• How do I actually start a game?

  The players must all be in the same room. After everyone has read the instructions, you may start the game. On the laptop, enter the login box on www.smileurbo.com and type in the GAME´S CODE."

  Select “PLAY AS VILLAGE”.

  Enter the GAME´S CODE and select “PLAY AS NGO” on one mobile device and “PLAY AS INVESTOR” on the other.

  Press “START THE GAME” button in the Main Panel.

  The NGO and the INVESTOR Panels will turn on automatically once you start the game from the Main Panel.

• What do I need to distribute to each player?

  Each player needs the documents describing their respective Roles at the beginning of each round. There should also be a couple communal copies of the Meeting Orders available for each round, so that the players can consult them at any time. The Investor and NGO need their own devices with which to access their separate panels.

• When do I print instructions for the 2nd and the 3rd round?

  The instructions for the second and third rounds depend upon the results of the preceding rounds, and will therefore only become available as the game progresses. They will appear and become accessible to print on your Educator’s panel. You will find more information in the Educator's Manual.

• How can I save paper when printing?

  We have a few tricks to save paper. We will always indicate which documents can be printed double sided, so do so whenever possible. The instructions for the first round are always the same, so you can reuse them for other teams. If you have more tablets available, you can download the Meeting Orders and Attachments to the extra devices and make them accessible for the players to look at instead of having to print as many copies.

• What can I do when there is no wifi?

  It is impossible to play SmileUrbo without internet connection. If there is no wifi and you have a smartphone, however, you can still play! Create a hotspot from your phone and connect all the devices that you are using in the game to your mobile network. The game does not consume a lot of data so playing from 3G or 4G network will work well.

• What are the most common technical challenges that I should be prepared for?

  Sometimes printers will be slow or malfunction, and sometimes wifi can shut off. These both might interrupt or slow down the game. Also, a very old PC with a low resolution screen might make playing difficult as you will not be able to see the entire interface.

• Will the game’s progress be saved if we lose internet connection?

  If you lose internet connection during the game, you will see that the clock on the interface stops and you will be unable to manipulate the screen, but you can continue discussions. Once the connection is back the clock will resume and you may continue playing. The clock will count the time lost. For example, if you lose internet after 20 minutes and do not have connection for 30 minutes, the clock will start at 50 minutes once you gain connection again.

• Do I control the timing of each round?

  It is your task to start the game, but then the group will use a clock on the interface that keeps track of the time. When an hour and a half passes, the clock will start to count in red. For each additional 15 minutes used, each player loses 1 point.

• Does the game have to be played all at one time?

  The game is paused automatically between each round, and you can resume playing whenever. The system will remember the team´s choices on the interface.

• Will the game be saved between the rounds?

  Yes

• What do I do if the group finishes a round in less/more than 90 min?

  An hour and a half is just a suggested time frame. If it takes less time, you can simply submit the voting earlier which leaves you with more time for discussion about the possible outcomes that have been laid out for you. However, if it takes more time, each players loses one point for every additional 15 minutes per round.

• What do I do if I have more than one team playing at the same time?

  The teams need to be in separate rooms with their own set of equipment (laptop, projector, tablets). Leading two teams at once is not recommended.

• Can I play?

  Yes, if there is no alternative. If this is the case, it is highly recommended that you take the role of the NGO, since it the most neutral position.

• Can I access the game before the team starts playing?

  You can access the demo version on the top menu. If you press “Start the Game” on your panel it means that you are accessing the actual game.

• How much time should the players be given for individual discussions during each round?

  During each 1.5 hour session, players are allowed to leave the room and hold private meetings with other players. You should not control the time of those meetings; it is up to the players to decide how they use the given time, knowing that time is limited.

• How do I prepare the place for the game?

  The game should take place in a quiet conference room where players are able to converse freely. Make sure there is good wifi connection. Set the chairs up in such a way that all players can see each other (preferably around a circular table). Connect the laptop to the projector and log in to your panel to prepare for the beginning of the game.

• Where will I see players’ individual points after each round?

  You will see their individual points after each round in the table on the top of their Roles for the next round. You can also check their points by going to the “Rankings” page.

• What if the players change between the rounds?

  If you play each round separately, it is possible that a player will not be able to continue and must be substituted by someone else. Make sure to print the “Rules of the Game” that all players got before the 1st round.

• How can I ask for help in organizing a game?

  We would be more than happy to coach you, and we can be available online during your first games. Just email us exactly what kind of additional support you might need.

• What should I do when the game is finished?

  A role-playing game may be a strong personal experience for a player. Playing is fun, but the actual learning and reflection happens during the debate sessions. It’s important that the players learn through discovery and dialogue with other participants. The focus of the debate may differ from your learning goals. Please read the chapters of the Educator's Manual to prepare learning scenarios based on SmileUrbo.

  If you you have specific needs for your group, we can design a debate and learning session for you based on the demand of your teaching/training program.