WHAT IS KARMA TYCOON?

Karma Tycoon is a new kind of video game that is free to use. It has cool, splashy graphics and is fun to play, but instead of trying to make a million dollars, users are making the world a better place by running nonprofit organizations (homeless shelters, animal shelters, youth centers, senior centers, and performing arts centers) in different cities across the United States. Players apply for grants and loans (and learn the difference between them), outfit nonprofits with the basic necessities, and watch the news ticker to make sure a hurricane doesn’t interfere with plans. With successful management of funds, players are given additional grants and donations, enabling their organization to grow in scale and offer more services to further help the community. The goal of the game is to serve as many people (or animals) as possible, which will maximize karma, so players can move on the next city and make a difference there, too. Simply put, the more people helped by each player, the more karma is gained. Karma Tycoon is an engaging, competitive, and nonviolent real-time strategy game that is both educational and entertaining.

LEARNING GOALS AND LINKS TO CLASSROOM LEARNING

Karma Tycoon is aligned with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Frameworks including math, civics, geography, economics, and English language arts.

GOALS

• To discuss nonprofit organizations and the role of social entrepreneurs
• To understand the financial aspects of running a nonprofit organization
• To understand philanthropy and how to fundraise

Grades 7–12 Connections

MATH & ECONOMIC STANDARDS

Number Properties and Operations
(1) Students will perform computation problems with real numbers.
(4) Students will solve application problems involving numbers and basic operations.

Income
(2) Students will identify sources of income.

Money Management
(3) Students will discuss the importance of taking responsibility for personal financial decisions.

Spending and Credit
(3) Students will compare the advantages and disadvantages of different payment methods.

Markets
(12) Students will compare the nonprofit sector’s role in various economic systems.

Investments, Productivity, and Growth
(1) Students will identify philanthropy to include giving and sharing, volunteering, and private individual action intended for the common good; and, will explain how a volunteer group can act for the common good.

OTHER SUBJECT STANDARDS

Civics

Knowledge, Skills, and Civic Dispositions
(v) Students will understand that through their involvement in civic life and in non-governmental organizations they can help to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods, communities, and nation.

Geography

Space and Place
(1) Students will develop an understanding of a place and the issues that affect it.

English Language Arts

Language
1) Students will use previously established rules for informal and formal discussions in small and large groups.
2) Students will pose questions, listen to the ideas of others, and contribute their own ideas in group discussions and interviews in order to acquire new knowledge.
3) Students will acquire new vocabulary and use it correctly in reading and writing.

Reading and Literature
8) Students will identify the basic facts and main ideas in a text and use them as the basis for interpretation.

Composition
19) Students will write with a clear focus, coherent organization, and sufficient detail.
22) Students will use their knowledge of standard English conventions in writing, revising, and editing.

HOW TO PLAY KARMA TYCOON

Karma Tycoon is a game that teaches users how to help their communities by running their own nonprofit organizations. The more you help your community, the more karma you get! With more karma, comes more eligibility for nonprofit grants; the more money you get, the more you can help your community! The object of the game is to collect as much karma as possible to become a Karma Tycoon!

HOW TO PLAY

First, obtain a Do Something login. It’s quick and easy, just click on the link that takes you to the Do Something Web site www.DoSomething.org/register, answer a few simple questions (Do Something does not share personal information with other organizations), and receive your Do Something login.

Second, once logged in to www.KarmaTycoon.com, you’re taken to a map screen where you’re asked to select the city in which you want to run your nonprofit organization. Players may choose from eleven different cities across the US. Some of the cities are easier to play with than others. For example, Columbus is a good place to start because it is an easy city, while Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco are the more difficult.

Third, after selecting the city in which you want to play, select the type of nonprofit organization you want to run. Notice that one button says learn and the other button says play. The play button takes you to the actual game, while the learn button leads you to a screen that teaches users about how specific issues (i.e. homelessness) are affecting particular cities. The learn section also includes links to actual nonprofit with information on how young people may volunteer to help solve issues.

Lastly, after you press the play button, you’re taken directly to the game board!

The Game Board Includes:

• a map of the city where your organizations will be displayed;
• a calendar that keeps track of the months;
• a karmameter that keeps track of karma earned;
• a financial section where you can apply for grants and loans, manage your credit, and see your balance sheet.

The circles on the map represent how many people or animals still need help. When a person or animal is served by your organization, your Karma increases!

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED FOR FREE!