UnExpected Values: From Dystopia to Utopia

In UnExpected Values: From Dystopia to Utopia, you take on the role of a CEO navigating dilemmas at the intersection of profit, ethics, and social responsibility. Every decision you make shapes not just your company's future, but the kind of society we live in. The dilemmas you will face are not fictional—they are inspired by real-life events and stories.

With minimal regulation and a fiercely competitive market, financial success is not guaranteed. You must balance financial growth and ethical responsibility while competing against rival companies facing similar dilemmas. Will you be a visionary leader, a ruthless capitalist, or something in between? The path you choose is yours!

About the game

UnExpected Values is an immersive educational strategy game that transforms players into corporate leaders facing real-world dilemmas. They must navigate financial pressures while making decisions that shape the future of their companies and of the world. Between dilemmas, players make strategic moves: upgrading technology, enhancing marketing, investing in legal protection, and influencing regulations to gain an edge. Every decision counts—not just for profit, but for the values they uphold (or compromise) along the way.

At the heart of UnExpected Values are its Dilemma Cards. These are not abstract scenarios; they are based on real-life true stories and facts. Each card presents a challenging situation, forcing players to make important decisions just as a CEO would.

The gameplay is rooted in our current socioeconomic systems, where business choices often prioritize profit over community and environmental well-being. The game encourages players to grapple with these complex issues and consider the broader impact of their decisions. Playing UnExpected Values offers a chance for them to reflect, have fun, and imagine different possibilities.

But the learning does not stop there. Every Dilemma Card features a QR code. Scanning it directs players to a webpage with a short summary of the true story and facts behind the dilemma, along with relevant links for deeper exploration. This transforms gameplay into a powerful educational tool, allowing them to:

• Learn from history: Understand the real-world context and consequences of corporate decisions.

• Think critically: Reflect on what they would do in a similar situation.

• Spark discussion: Engage in lively debates with fellow players, defending their choices and (of course!) playfully teasing others about theirs!

Why play?

UnExpected Values is more than just a game—it is a powerful tool for understanding the complex relationship between progress, profit, and ethics in today’s society. By confronting real-world dilemmas inspired by true stories, players develop crucial ethical reasoning skills and gain insight into the broader impact of corporate decisions.

The game challenges players to explore critical questions, such as:

• Can a company be both ethical and competitive in the current system?

• How do economic pressures influence ethical choices?

• Does the current system reward responsible innovation, or short-term profit?

• Would the industry function differently under an alternative economic system?

By experiencing these challenges firsthand, players gain a deeper awareness of the ethical complexities shaping industries. This sparks meaningful discussions, making UnExpected Values an ideal resource for classrooms, workshops, and corporate ethics training.

Whether you are a student, educator, professional, or simply interested in ethics, UnExpected Values provides a dynamic, fun, and engaging way to explore complex ethics and reflect on what it truly means to build a better future.

Game Learning Objectives

• Raise awareness of overlooked ethical issues in the industry, prompting players to critically examine real-world dilemmas that often go unaddressed.

• Encourage critical thinking about the impact of business decisions on society.

• Highlight the tension between profit and ethics in capitalism, where profit often outweighs ethical concerns.

• Challenge players to consider whether systemic change is necessary or if ethical behavior can thrive within the current market-driven economy.

• Encourage ethical reasoning and debate, allowing players to articulate different perspectives on corporate dilemmas.

• Simulate real-world pressures faced by company executives, making ethical decision-making more tangible and complex.

Tailor your experience: 2+1 gameplay versions

We want everyone to enjoy UnExpected Values: From Dystopia to Utopia, from seasoned strategists to those new to tabletop games, and from casual game nights to structured educational settings. That is why 2+1 distinct gameplay versions are offered, detailed in the Game Guide and presented here from simplest to most complex:

Discuss the Dilemmas: This version focuses purely on discussion. It removes all game mechanics and instead uses the dilemma cards to spark meaningful conversations. Ideal for classrooms, workshops, or settings with limited time.

Basic version: A streamlined version designed for beginners. This mode removes extra mechanics, making it easy to learn and play while still delivering an engaging gameplay experience.

Original version: The first full version of the game. Incorporates key game components with limited randomness for straightforward, engaging play.

Explore different worlds: Thematic sets

The game also features two thematic dilemma sets so far, each rooted in real-world industries and ethical tensions:

• Digital Dilemmas: Navigate the challenges faced by companies in sectors like Social Media, E-commerce, EdTech, and Digital Technologies.

• Eco Dilemmas: Confront the environmental impact and responsibilities of Cloud Services, Electronic Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, and Fossil Fuel companies.

Get involved & stay updated

The "UnExpected Values: From Dystopia to Utopia" board game is an evolving project, and we welcome input from anyone passionate about ethics or board games! We especially encourage professionals to develop their own thematic sets to explore dilemmas relevant to their specific sectors. Here is how you can engage:

• Share feedback: If you have played the game and have feedback on the experience, or if you have suggestions for new dilemmas based on real-world ethical issues, we would love to hear from you! Your input can help shape the game’s development.

• Create your own: Since UnExpected Values is released under a Creative Commons license, you are free to adapt, remix, or expand the game. We would be thrilled to potentially add your version or thematic set to the official game, growing our shared universe of meaningful play.

• Contact us: Got questions about the game, its development, or using it in education? Reach out for more information, support, or partnership opportunities. Contact Angelos Konstantinidis at: a.konstantinidis rug.nl

• Stay updated: Want the latest on game updates, new game versions, thematic sets, or events? Subscribe to receive news about enhancements and where to play next.

About the project and license

UnExpected Values is designed and developed by Angelos Konstantinidis, with partial funding from the Jantina Tammes School of Digital Society, Technology and AI, and supported by Educational Support and Innovation of the Center for Information Technology Institute, both at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. Graphics Design: Ilaria Rosso.

The game is under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Creative Commons License. This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.

Download, print, and play the game!

Ready to dive into Digital Dilemmas? You can download all game materials - including the game board, cards, and Game Guide - for free! Simply print the files, assemble the components, and you are ready to play.  (Under construction - will be available in June 2025)