Rabo PinPin
Client: Rabobank
Development: &Ranj, &samhoud Creative Tech
Software: Unity
Role: Game design, Level design
Target audience: Age group 6-12
Released: 2018
Today, a large part of all financial transactions are digital, including for children. This means money is becoming less and less tangible over time. Instead of a weekly allowance that you receive as actual physical coins in your hand which you would put in your piggy bank, more and more kids receive their allowance digitally. But how do we teach them that the balance on their bank account works the same way as the physical coins in their piggy bank? How do we teach them the value of money?
Rabo PinPin is an augmented reality app that allows children to learn how to handle money in a playful and safe environment. The guardian of their savings, PinPin the penguin, can be brought to life through a mobile app.
How it works
By taking good care of PinPin and playing with him, children earn virtual money, so-called “pegels”. This way they can buy new things for PinPin and they get used to digital, financial transactions.
The child can also check his or her own balance via the link with their real Rabobank account. Parents have supervision via a special parent section and can see whether any “pegels” have been added, are being saved or have been spent on PinPin. In this way they have a nice opportunity to talk about money with their children.
By creating a unique connection between the app’s gameplay and a child’s actual bank account we were able to give kids real-time access to their balance without them being able to actually spend money. Virtual in-game currency allows children to nurture PinPin by buying the penguin food, drinks, clothes and accessories. Furthermore children can set their own saving goals and see how their current balance matches their wish list.
My role
As a game designer I was involved from the very start of the project, creating the concept for the app in collaboration with another game designer. I developed multiple concepts for various minigames the kids could play, I set up and balanced the in-game economics in order to determine the cost of all the in-game items in comparison to the players skill level. Next to this I designed and balanced all the levels for the first set of minigames.
Trailer Rabo PinPin.
Why Rabo PinPin? Interview with the developers and client.
What in Rabo PinPin? (NL)
Awards
Gouden Spin Award, 2018.
Zilveren Serious Play Award, 2018.
Bronzen Halo Award, 2018.
