Spent Game: A Thought-Provoking Experience on Poverty and Survival
The Spent Game is an interactive online game that puts players in the shoes of someone struggling to survive on a low income. Developed by Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) in collaboration with McKinney, this game is not just about entertainment—it is a powerful tool for raising awareness about poverty and financial hardship. By making tough decisions about rent, food, healthcare, and other essentials, players get a glimpse into the daily struggles faced by millions of people.
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What is Spent Game?
The Spent Game is designed to simulate real-life financial difficulties, challenging players to make it through a month with only $1,000. Every choice in the game has a consequence, forcing players to balance their basic needs while dealing with unexpected challenges. The game presents real-world dilemmas, such as choosing between paying rent or buying necessary medication. These decisions create a frustrating but realistic experience, showing how poverty affects every aspect of life.
Many players find the game difficult because there is often no perfect solution. Every decision leads to trade-offs, mirroring the hard choices that low-income individuals face daily. If a player runs out of money before the month ends, the game is over. If they manage to survive the month with some money left, they win—but not without struggle.
The Purpose Behind Spent Game
The main goal of the Spent Game is to educate players about the realities of poverty. The game helps people understand how quickly financial troubles can spiral out of control. It is often easy to judge those who struggle financially, but this game provides insight into how difficult it is to escape poverty.
Many people assume that making better financial choices can prevent poverty. However, the Spent Game proves that even the best decisions do not always guarantee stability. Unexpected expenses, medical emergencies, or job loss can throw anyone into financial crisis. By playing, users learn that poverty is not just about money—it is about difficult choices, lack of opportunities, and constant stress.
How Spent Game Works
The gameplay starts with a simple setup: the player has only $1,000 and must survive for a month. Throughout the game, different scenarios appear, forcing players to make financial decisions. Some of the main choices include:
| Category | Choices & Challenges |
|---|---|
| Housing | Rent an expensive apartment or live in a cheaper, less safe neighborhood. |
| Food | Buy healthy groceries or rely on cheap, unhealthy fast food. |
| Healthcare | Pay for medical bills or ignore health problems due to lack of money. |
| Job | Work a stable but low-paying job or take a risky, higher-paying option. |
| Education | Invest in better education or skip it to save money. |
Each decision affects the player’s financial status, health, and overall stability. For example, skipping medical expenses may save money in the short term but can lead to serious health issues later. Choosing a cheaper apartment may mean saving on rent, but it could also mean living in an unsafe environment.
Why Spent Game is Important
The Spent Game is more than just a game—it is a social experiment that helps players develop empathy for those struggling with poverty. It highlights how systemic issues, such as low wages, lack of healthcare, and rising living costs, keep people trapped in financial hardship.
The game also educates players about how small financial setbacks can lead to bigger problems. Missing one rent payment can result in eviction. A single medical bill can push someone into debt. The game illustrates how poverty is not just about bad decisions but about limited options.
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Challenges Faced by Players in Spent Game
One of the most frustrating aspects of the Spent Game is that no decision feels entirely right. Many players feel helpless as they are forced to make sacrifices that negatively impact their character’s health, happiness, or stability. This frustration is intentional—it mirrors the stress and anxiety that real people in poverty experience daily.
| Challenge | Impact in the Game |
|---|---|
| Running out of money | Game over—player fails to survive the month. |
| Skipping healthcare | Leads to worse health and higher future costs. |
| Not paying rent | Can result in eviction and homelessness. |
| Working multiple jobs | Increases income but decreases health and happiness. |
These challenges teach players that poverty is not just about budgeting—it is about survival. Many people assume that financial struggles come from poor money management, but the Spent Game shows that even the best budgeting cannot solve deep-rooted social issues.
Lessons Learned from Spent Game
The Spent Game provides many valuable lessons about life in poverty. One of the most important takeaways is that poverty is a cycle that is difficult to escape. Even when players make smart financial choices, unexpected events can destroy their stability.
Another lesson is that people living in poverty often have to make unfair sacrifices. Choosing between feeding their family and paying for medical care is a decision no one should have to make. The game helps players understand that poverty is not just about money—it affects health, education, and mental well-being.
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How Businesses and HR Departments Can Use Spent Game for Employee Training
Businesses and HR departments can use Spent Game as a training tool to build financial empathy among employees. By experiencing the struggles of low-income individuals, employees gain a deeper understanding of economic hardships. This awareness can lead to better workplace policies, fair wages, and more supportive HR initiatives.
The game also enhances decision-making and problem-solving skills by forcing players to make tough financial choices. HR teams can integrate it into training programs to improve critical thinking, adaptability, and financial literacy. This approach helps employees develop a stronger sense of responsibility and inclusivity in professional environments.
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Conclusion
The Spent Game is more than just an online simulation—it is a wake-up call about the realities of poverty. By making tough financial choices, players experience the stress and frustration that low-income individuals face every day. The game proves that poverty is not just about poor financial decisions but about lack of opportunities and systemic barriers.
Through its realistic scenarios and difficult decisions, the Spent Game successfully raises awareness about financial struggles. It helps people develop empathy and understand that surviving on a low income is not as simple as it seems. Whether you play to challenge yourself or to gain a new perspective, the Spent Game is an eye-opening experience that leaves a lasting impact.
