Consumer Behaviour Game for Year 9s

My Year 9 class started the section of consumer behaviour for commerce. I thought this was a great opportunity to create a game (very simple) which tries to demonstrate consumer behaviours and compares them to the ideal purchasing behaviour of a specific profile.

Consumer Behaviour Game: Understanding Spending Choices

Introduction: In an increasingly consumer-centric world, understanding how different demographics prioritise their spending can offer invaluable insights. The Consumer Behavior Game is a simple yet revealing tool that mimics real-world spending choices based on unique profiles.

Objective of the Game: The goal of the game is to make purchases while staying within a given budget. As you choose items, your remaining budget and accumulated points will change. The point system is tailored to each profile, reflecting the value that different demographics might place on necessities versus luxuries.

How to Play:

1. Choose a Profile: Begin by selecting one of the available profiles. Each profile comes with a predetermined budget and a unique point system that reflects that demographic's spending preferences.

2. Make Your Purchases: After selecting a profile, you will see a list of items available for purchase, categorised as either "Needs" or "Luxury". Choose the items you believe your profile would most likely buy, but be careful not to exceed the given budget!

3. Understand the Point System: While making purchases, you'll notice you also accumulate points. These aren't arbitrary – they represent the value or importance your chosen profile places on each item. For instance, a student might value necessities over luxuries, while a high-earning individual might have the opposite preference.

4. Submit Your Choices: Once you've made your selections, submit your choices to see how well you've matched the profile's expected spending behaviour.

5. Review and Analyse: After submitting, you'll get a graph comparing your purchase behaviour versus the ideal behaviour for the chosen profile. This will give you insights into how well you understand that particular demographic's spending habits.

Rules & Guidelines:

1. Stay Within Budget: Every profile has a set budget. Ensure that your total purchases don't exceed this budget. If you go over, you'll need to adjust your selections.

2. Points Over Purchases: It's not just about spending the entire budget. Your goal is to maximise the points based on the profile's values and preferences.

3. Review Items Carefully: Take a moment to understand each item, its price, and its categorisation before making selections.