Project: Onboard Game
Energy Transition
in only 90 Minutes!
In this oversized onboarding board game, new Vandebron employees play together to accelerate the energy transition, racing to meet the 2030 deadline.
Nominated for the
Dutch Game Awards
Tim
Vandebron
Maarten has transformed the prototype of our onboarding game at Vandebron into a beautifully designed, extensive game for me. What was initially 200 dry slides has now evolved into a multimedia board game that perfectly conveys the essence of our message.
The game not only tells the story of the energy transition but also shows new starters the role Vandebron plays in it. Thanks to Maarten's creativity and expertise, we now have an interactive tool that is not only informative but also gives the right impression of who we are and what we stand for. It's inspiring to see how he manages to turn complex themes into an engaging experience.
I highly recommend Maarten and PlayGood Games to anyone looking for innovative and impactful solutions!
100% green energy in the Netherlands, 100% of the time!
Vandebron, a Dutch green energy provider, is on a mission to accelerate the energy transition—a challenge of immense complexity. To engage new employees in this vital process, they came up with an innovative idea: a board game. During a hackathon, they quickly developed a prototype to test the concept. Impressed by its potential, Vandebron asked us to further develop and refine the game.
A small group of new "Vandebronners" gather around the oversized board, taking on the challenge of speeding up the energy transition. Their task: flip customer cards from gray (non-renewable energy contracts) to green (sustainable energy contracts) and ensure each green customer receives a 100% uptime token. Along the way, they learn about the innovations and complexities of managing an energy company.
Blended Learning with Videos
QR codes are strategically embedded throughout the game materials, providing direct access to videos of Vandebron experts sharing insights from their respective fields. This seamless integration allows new Vandebronners to learn key information in real time as they play.
This blended learning approach not only prevents players from feeling overwhelmed but also empowers them with autonomy. Players can choose when to access the information, ensuring they engage with the content at their own pace.
Social Fun with an Oversized Board Game
The game accommodates teams of 2 to 6 new Vandebron employees. To enhance readability and usability, we designed an oversized board measuring 82 x 112 cm! But we didn’t stop there; we also created a towering 150 cm CO2 Meter. Fun fact: when CO2 levels rise, we mean it literally, as the extended meter reaches almost 3 meters! It's these playful touches that make the experience surprising and memorable.
What we especially enjoyed during the testing sessions was witnessing how the game brings together players who don’t know each other, often leading to moments of excitement and even screams halfway through the game. This dynamic happens every single session! It’s incredible to see how effectively a board game can onboard new employees.
A Real Challenge!
Vandebron attracts many talented professionals, so we designed the game to be both challenging and full of strategic choices. While the rules are always the same, the way teams play can vary wildly.
A fun twist we've added to the game is the "Challenge Cards," which the facilitator can use to raise difficulty, speed up the game, or unleash chaos with the infamous "Apocalypse" card!
