During our first prototypes we experimented with both single player and multiplayer versions, and what we found was with the multiplayer version, we immediately had a lot more investment from people, they were actively getting into discussions, and they were more forgiving of issues with bugs or unpolished UI. So we decided to really lean into that and make sure that we are supporting diverse discussions within the gameplay setting, so we really went hard on the multiplayer idea.  This was an effective way to help people grapple with these issues, rather than having them play in a single-player experience.

One of the things we're exploring right now is whether or not there's some potential here for intergenerational cooperative play. For example, if we were to introduce the game in schools and then have kids take the game home to play with their parents and grandparents, could that be an effective way to reach the community? Research has shown that kids are great vectors for changing family and community awareness and behaviors, and more recently studies have shown that conversations with their kids can open up adults to accepting the issues of climate change when they otherwise might not have [1]. 

Beyond intergeneration conversations, we are also looking into Discourse Analysis as a way to better understand the types of learning and engagement that are occurring during multiplayer sessions. So far we have seen that these discussions result in joint strategy building and increasing information-seeking desires. The multiplayer nature also appears to increase repeat play, which players more likely to play again (not just with their current partner but with others as well). 

Our first multiplayer prototype was Info Overload where the players worked together to navigate a car during an active evacuation. We presented this prototype at Foundations of Digital Games 2024 [2]. Following that success, we began developing Firesafe Friends as a multiplayer spinoff of our home hardening game Happy House. In order to keep development scope reasonable, we focus on single-device multiplayer experiences, either split screen or pass-and-play, though we are currently exploring the possibility of a networked multiplayer game (in progress!). 

[1] Children can foster climate change concern among their parents, Lawson et al.

[2] Info Overload: A Cooperative Evacuation Game, Johns et al.