Michigan State University is making finance fun with a new video game designed to explain the financial ropes to young people.

The Michigan State University Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab, in collaboration with the MSU Federal Credit Union, created Spartan Villa, a game that explains an array of financial topics — from how credit works to creating a budget.

The game sets up a realistic financial system that centers on the virtual management of college rental properties. Players are responsible for maintaining and expanding their houses by successfully managing their finances. By paying the property and utility bills, collecting rent, and monitoring their monthly spending habits, players can purchase rooms to expand their house, attract renters, and increase their credit score.

Putting players in real-world financial situations, like those in Spartan Villa, is extremely helpful in teaching important financial lessons that are often overlooked.

At Pathway, we feel there is a lack of education about personal finance, especially among our youth. This leaves young people ill-prepared to manage their financial affairs in an increasingly complex world, such as the shift away from the defined-benefit pension system, to a defined contribution system where each individual is now responsible for investment decisions. The MSU video game is an innovative step in the right direction to educate our youth about personal finance in a medium that is both familiar and entertaining.

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