黑料福利网

From BOOST! to NWO

The idea started at Eindhoven University of Technology (黑料福利网), where the university鈥檚 BOOST! program first funded the development of a game called IC Tycoon. That version was designed for engineering students, giving them a playful way to experience how complex and creative chip design really is.

Now, with new support from NWO 鈥� divided across 黑料福利网, the University of Twente, and the University of Amsterdam 鈥� the project is expanding beyond academia. The next step: opening up the game to high school students, young adults, and curious citizens alike.

Freedom to explore

One of the key goals of the expanded IC Tycoon is to give players the freedom to explore. Instead of passively receiving information, players will be able to make their own discoveries, ask questions, and even shape the game鈥檚 content themselves.

Participants won鈥檛 just play missions designed by researchers 鈥� they will also be able to propose their own challenges, contribute to storylines, and in some cases, have their designs manufactured in real life. 鈥淲e want people to feel ownership,鈥� says Raaijmakers. 鈥淭hat way, they鈥檙e not just learning about chips, but also helping to build the game itself.鈥�

A game that鈥檚 fun and realistic

For the game to succeed, it needs to strike a balance: it must be fun, but also realistic enough to provide a meaningful glimpse into chip design. The game will include background knowledge 鈥� such as how a chip is built or how transistors work 鈥� woven directly into the gameplay so that anyone, regardless of prior knowledge, can join in.

The new Dutch-language version is also essential, lowering the barrier for those who find technical English difficult. Combined with an accessible online platform where players can ask questions, review others鈥� solutions, and suggest new missions, the game aims to reach as broad an audience as possible.

Growing scientific literacy

Beyond entertainment, IC Tycoon is designed to increase what researchers call 鈥榮cientific literacy.鈥� By experimenting with chip design step by step 鈥� from initial idea to detailed layout 鈥� players develop process knowledge about how chips work. At the same time, the game challenges them to solve puzzles, plan 3D layouts, and make trade-offs about efficiency and cost.

These problem-solving skills extend beyond technology. 鈥淲e鈥檙e encouraging people to think critically and abstractly,鈥� Raaijmakers explains. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the kind of skill you need not only for understanding chips, but also for making sense of other complex issues in society.鈥�

The online community adds another layer: healthy competition and collaboration. Players are encouraged to review and improve each other鈥檚 designs. In doing so, they not only sharpen their own thinking but also strengthen the dialogue between scientists and society.

Co-creation with the public

At higher levels, players will even be able to design their own missions and share them with the community. This form of co-creation gives citizens, students, and enthusiasts a genuine role in shaping the scientific conversation. 鈥淪cience communication is no longer just about experts sending out facts,鈥� Raaijmakers emphasizes. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about dialogue, about learning from each other 鈥� and games are a perfect way to make that happen.鈥�

Building bridges between science and society

With this NWO grant, Elles Raaijmakers, co-applicant and colleagues at UT and UvA are taking an important step toward bringing society closer to technology. IC Tycoon will be more than just a game 鈥� it鈥檚 an invitation to explore the fascinating world of chips, challenge misconceptions, and even create designs that could one day be built in real life.