Opposing climate change is one thing; taking action against is another: In Casino Global, participants gamble for humanity’s survival in a casino setting. Developed for Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe in collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the theatrical production combines climate science, activism, and a passion for gambling on the theater stage. A serious game and a show hat is as entertaining as it is unsettling.

In 2019, Casino Global was one of our first playful explorations of environmental policy and the mechanics of the global carbon trade. The format can be adapted and redeveloped for any setting and audience; elements of Casino Global continue to appear in various serious games and participatory projects we develop. As a participatory happening and a theater production, this format offers a more intense sensory experience than most serious games. Climate communication meets serious gaming meets theater!