Using a Text-Based Game to Inform Simulation Models of Risky Migration Decisions

Text-based interactive fiction games serve as a novel methodology for gathering empirical data to inform agent-based simulation models regarding risky migration decisions. By comparing the behavioral patterns of 284 migrants against 284 non-migrants, researchers sought to determine if perceived agency or prior migration experience significantly influences the propensity to take risks in simulated environments. The study aimed to bridge the gap between psychological decision-making theories and the computational requirements of demographic modeling.

The findings indicate that neither migrant status nor the experimental manipulation of perceived agency produces a statistically significant difference in risky decision-making outcomes. Although the game design successfully increased participants' self-reported sense of control, this psychological shift failed to translate into measurable changes in their choices within the simulation. These results suggest that while the game environment effectively captures basic decision-making processes, it lacks the depth necessary to reflect the complex, idiosyncratic factors that drive real-world migration.

Ultimately, while text-based simulations offer a viable framework for constructing plausible agent-based models, they currently provide limited insight into the nuanced motivations behind human migration. The simplicity inherent in these game designs may be insufficient to replicate the multifaceted pressures and personal histories that characterize actual migration experiences. Future research must address these limitations to move beyond generic behavioral data and achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the complex variables influencing human mobility.