Iqtisad — Game Manual
How to Play
Overview
Iqtisad is a financial simulation educational game that is aimed at immersing in the dynamics of real-world markets. The game is focused on managing capital, analyzing price movements and making strategic investment decisions in 3 levels of increasing difficulty: Tech Stocks, Venture Capital and Crypto. Using simulated data that is realistic in nature, Iqtisad allows players to experience the excitement and risk of trading without the real world consequences of the transactions while teaching critical financial concepts in the process.
Starting the Game
At the start of every level players receive a certain amount of starting cash. The primary objective is to increase net worth through wise investment choices before time runs out. The game dashboard gives all the necessary information at a glance, including the time left, the current cash balance, the value of the portfolio, and the overall net worth. Players will need to pay close attention to these indicators to make sure their strategy is effective throughout the level.
Understanding Asset Cards
All the asset cards represent some separate investment opportunity, be it a company or a digital asset. Such cards indicate the actual price, change of percentage that displays profit/loss, and a live price trend chart over time. The charts are color-coded to enable easy use where a green chart represents a profit, and a red chart represents a loss. The graphs are dynamic, there is realistic movement in the market and the players have to keep on changing their strategies.
Buying and Selling
Players can purchase an asset by clicking the Invest button at the current market price, and the owned assets can be sold by clicking the Sell button. Even after the transactions are made, asset prices are in a constant movement and therefore timing is a very important factor. All the transactions update instantly on the cash balance and portfolio value of the player, which gives them an incentive to plan and make careful decisions.
Key Points:
- Timing and strategy is important; prices are constantly changing.
- Portfolio value and cash balance are updated as soon as the trade is made.
Levels Explained
The game is split into three levels with each level having its own purpose of teaching investing.
Level 1: Tech Stocks
This level is focused on publicly traded technology stocks. The price movements are moderately volatile offering an ideal introduction to market trends and basic timing strategies.
Level 2: Venture Capital
This level resembles investment in start-ups. Such assets are more risky and can higher returns be achieved. The price fluctuations are unreliable and the players must be good risk managers and have long-term strategies.
Level 3: Crypto
This level brings extreme market volatility and price changes. This level challenges players with their emotional control, risk tolerance, and ability to make quick and informed decisions under pressure.
Progress and Scoring
Performance measurement is done on a system that utilizes net worth growth, decision quality and risk management evaluation. They save and follow the stars and keep a number of them in each level, which means that a player can see their progress and refine the strategies.
How to Earn Stars
1 Star
To earn 1 star, the player must finish the level with a net worth increase of at least 5% compared to the starting capital and complete at least 2 trades.
This shows that the player understands the basic idea of trading, actively participates in the market, and is able to make simple profitable decisions.
2 Stars
To earn 2 stars, the player must finish the level with a net worth increase of at least 10% and complete at least 5 trades.
This reflects stronger engagement with the market and the ability to grow capital through multiple, deliberate trading decisions rather than relying on chance.
3 Stars
To earn 3 stars, the player must finish the level with a net worth increase of at least 15% and complete at least 7 trades.
This represents a highly engaged and successful trading session, showing the ability to achieve significant growth through active market participation.
Objective
Iqtisad is not the search of definite winning strategy. It is directed toward getting players to learn market behaviour, learn to balance risk and reward, and make decision making in the uncertainty environment. The game does not rely much on luck but rather patience, discipline, and a well-educated strategy, which is a perfect way of learning some practical financial skills.