2-6 player quantum computer Funding granted for quantum technology board game

No Master’s degree in quantum engineering, but still tinkering with the whole family on a supercomputer: Under the leadership of the TU Braunschweig, the “QUANTista” project team is developing a board game on quantum technologies. With no prior knowledge required, the game aims to illustrate what happens in research laboratories in a fun way. As an experienced game designer, Uwe Rosenberg, known for games such as Bohnanza, Agricola and Caverna, is in charge of game development. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the project with around 820,000 euros.

In QUANTista, Professor Stefanie Kroker and Professor Tobias Voß combine quantum technology with board game mechanics. Picture credits: Marius Lauer/TU Braunschweig

Quantum technology for all age groups

Whether it’s the game of the year with the family under the Christmas tree, five-hour strategy duels or 100 million Uno downloads: People from all age groups, whether families or friends, come together to play games. Although electronic devices are ahead in the 12-14 age group according to the online platform statista, card and board games are still the second most popular toys. A board game can therefore become a successful influencer. This is precisely the goal of the QUANTista project team. The game aims to present the new quantum technologies in an entertaining way and publicise the associated job profiles.

“First and foremost, of course, the game should be playable and fun. But when you consider how many people know what a settlement in Catan costs, there’s no lack of learning while playing and having fun,” says project coordinator Professor Stefanie Kroker from TU Braunschweig.

Project team and schedule

In order to create a good game based on a complex topic, TU researchers from the QuantumFrontiers Cluster of Excellence and Quantum Valley Lower Saxony, Stuttgart-based physics education specialist Professor Ronny Nawrodt and Berlin-based Professor Jens Junge and his team from the Institute of Ludology as well as successful game author Uwe Rosenberg are working together. The first concept and design versions are to be tested by the first game groups as early as 2025. The publisher Skellig Games will then use the feedback received to produce the first 3,000 demonstrators for games fairs and cafés and will be able to make the game permanent after the end of the project period (May 2024 to May 2027).