# A Serious Gaming Approach for Crowdsensing in Urban Water Infrastructure with Blockchain Support
## 2 Related Work
### Serious Gaming for Water Resource Management  
This section presents the research done in the field of serious games, with applicability in water resource management. There are different game theory models, such as cooperative and non-cooperative (alliances/competitions), information games (decisions based on perfect/complete/incomplete information), evolutionary games (strategy updates, highly competitive), static and dynamic games (simultaneous/sequential decisions), zero-sum games (sum of the payoffs equals zero, e.g., poker, chess) [14]. A classification of games can be defined by different characteristics such as number of players, simultaneous/sequential, perfect information (player knows all previous moves), complete information (players know the structure of the game), zero-sum games (sum of the payoffs equals zero, e.g., poker, chess), communication, and cooperative/non-cooperative. Real-world games are rarely zero-sum games [66]. The limitations, requirements and conceptual frameworks for SG are discussed in [67]. [PERSON] et al. [68] propose a model for providing uniform sensing coverage by means of in-game incentives and geolocation, i.e., earning points for shooting alien invaders. Smartphone users are therefore encouraged to cover the entire target area, collecting data along the way. The results of the study show that mobile gaming ensures high coverage and increasing levels of player engagement. The effect of gamification on platform utility is twofold: providing uniform coverage and increasing player motivation to participate in crowdsensing activities (from 46% coverage with micro-payments to 87% coverage with gamification). Moreover, the placement and movement strategy for alien invaders was shown to have a significant effect on the platform efficiency, i.e., area coverage over time. The literature contains an extensive analysis on this subject with regards to water resource management, trying to improve the consumption of water resources and to bring more awareness to the consumer while game design elements are used for increased participation [5; 69; 70]. The applications presented offer examples of good practice, as well as limitations and improvements that can be made in future development. One of these games is SimCity(tm), which deals with decision-making regarding city building, including urban planning. This game is characterized by the simulation and integration of complex systems using agent-based modeling [71]. Among other functionalities, the water supply of the built city, its treatment and distribution are also taken into account. Another serious game project is Aqua Republica [72], in which players have the opportunity to create a river basin and to make decisions on how to operate it. The consequences of the decisions can be rewarded or sanctioned, according to the models implemented in the game. This game was developed by DHI (Danish Hydraulic Institute) [73] and involves the achievement of three main objectives: (1) educating the player by being aware of how they make decisions; (2) developing a sustainable water management system through the exchange of knowledge; (3) providing prompt and optimal action in critical situations in order to not destabilize the proper functioning of water resources. A specific feature for this game is the combination of the game mode with the simulation mode, called MIKE Hydro Basin [74], offering players the opportunity to act as a manager of that river basin. [PERSON] et al. [75] propose a pilot solution in the Middle Oliphant region of South Africa. This game starts in the year 200, with certain input parameters such as population, funds, food and energy but also an unhealthy ecosystem. During each round, each player makes decisions about how the pool works, trying to keep the high parameters related to the sustainability of the pool. Another serious game approach is called Shariva (Shared River) [76]. The main purpose of creating this game was to cooperate, communicate and raise awareness among stakeholders regarding transboundary river basins.