The game starts in our current reality: resources are mined, smartphones are manufactured, used for a few years and then thrown away. This is unsustainable. The goal of the game is to create a functioning circular economy in which all materials are used and recycled for as long as possible. To achieve this, players can use five of the so-called R-strategies:

• Reduce: The amount of smartphones produced can be reduced by designing durable, easily repairable devices that need to be replaced less often. In addition, demand can be reduced through more conscious consumption by consumers who keep their devices for longer and do not replace them with each new generation.
• Repair: Smartphones should be designed to be easily repaired, for example by replacing broken components such as the screen or battery. This prolongs the life of the device and reduces the need to use new raw materials to make new phones.
• Re-Use: Smartphones that no longer meet a user’s needs can be given away or sold. This reduces the need for new devices.
• Refurbish: By replacing faulty parts, updating software or cleaning, a used phone can be restored to “like-new” condition and become usable again.
• Recycle: At the end of its life, a smartphone should be professionally recycled, not thrown away with household waste. The materials it contains can be recovered and reused to make new devices. This reduces dependence on raw material extraction and the associated environmental and social problems.

However, the players can also choose to implement new technologies or put different policies into effect. And on top of that, you can play the advanced mode with enabled events. Every single decision and event will influence the underlying model of the simulation, and you can see the effect on the economy in real-time on the game table.