{"id":2148,"date":"2026-03-10T12:36:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T11:36:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whitesock.it\/?post_type=whitesock-projects&p=2148"},"modified":"2026-03-24T12:52:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T11:52:03","slug":"mechasmash","status":"publish","type":"whitesock-projects","link":"https:\/\/whitesock.it\/en\/project\/mechasmash\/","title":{"rendered":"MechaSmash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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MechaSmash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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MechaSmash is a multiplayer card game <\/strong>where teams of robots battle in tournaments <\/strong>by consuming virtual batteries. To keep their robots operational, players must recycle real-life batteries<\/strong>, turning sustainable action into a necessary in-game resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project was created by Centro di Coordinamento Nazionale Pile e Accumulatori<\/strong> (CDCNPA) as part of the “Energia in gioco” (‘Energy at play’) initiative, and is designed for workshops on active citizenship <\/strong>in primary and lower secondary schools<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Real-world recycling <\/strong>is verified via a mobile app <\/strong>using geolocation and image recognition, creating a direct bridge between environmental action and gameplay progression<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The primary obstacle to battery recycling is passive hoarding<\/strong>: many people keep exhausted batteries at home for extended periods because they lack information on collection points or simply procrastinate<\/strong>. During moves or deep cleaning, these batteries are frequently disposed of in general waste, posing a significant environmental risk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, educational approaches to sustainability often struggle to maintain authentic engagement among young people, risking being perceived as disconnected from their recreational experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project’s challenge was to transform recycling from an occasional event into a habitual<\/strong>, intrinsically motivated practice. This was achieved by organically integrating the educational message into the gameplay mechanics, ensuring it never interrupts the game’s pacing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our Solution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The solution is a roguelike deckbuilder card game <\/strong>where gameplay progression depends directly on real-world sustainability actions. MechaSmash positions recycling as a structural gameplay element<\/strong>, rather than an external metaphor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project operates simultaneously on three levels of behavioral intervention (COM-B model):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capability<\/strong>: Players gain awareness of batteries and the circular economy by answering quizzes integrated into the tactical tournament preparation phase, transforming learning into a strategic element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motivation<\/strong>: The reward system is calibrated for frequent micro-deposits (individual batteries generate individual rewards) to build habit and intrinsic motivation, preventing occasional hoarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opportunity<\/strong>: The Recharge app provides a geolocated map of collection bins, significantly removing the logistical barriers to disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game design communicates sustainability through intrinsic mechanics: finite resource management, recycling and repair cycles as a strategic necessity, and the concrete consequences of procrastination. These elements emerge naturally from the gameplay experience rather than from external narrative devices<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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MechaSmash establishes a reproducible methodological precedent <\/strong>for partnerships between the gaming sector, formal education, and regional sustainability goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By integrating validation technologies <\/strong>(geolocation and image recognition), behavioral science<\/strong>, and contemporary game design<\/strong>, it allows for the direct tracking of impacts on waste separation. Ultimately, the project serves as a documented case study for the gamification of environmental sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gameplay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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MechaSmash <\/strong>is structured as an asynchronous roguelike deckbuilder<\/strong>. Each Tournament (6 matches<\/strong>) alternates between preparation phases (Workshop<\/strong>) and combat (Arena<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Workshop, players manage circular economy <\/strong>operations: recycling robots to generate Materials<\/strong>, crafting new robots from Blueprints<\/strong>, repairing damaged units, and installing upgrade Modules<\/strong>. From here, they can also access the Research Lab <\/strong>to answer themed quizzes, unlocking tactical advantages for the Arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Arena, players deploy their robots to face off against other players’ decks<\/strong>. Each robot has three main attributes: Energy Consumption <\/strong>(Batteries required for deployment), Power<\/strong>, and a Special Effect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the total Consumption of a player’s robots exceeds their available Batteries, the squad enters a Blackout<\/strong>: all robots deactivate and lose Power. However, some robots possess special effects that trigger specifically from this state, transforming a penalty into a tactical resource. The player with the highest total Power wins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By winning all 6 rounds, accumulated Materials are converted into Fame<\/strong>: a permanent score that determines the player’s Rank (Rust, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Plasma) and their position on the global Leaderboard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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