D2D Pilots Real World Financial Entertainment Gamification

From June to July, D2D brought Financial Entertainment gamification to high school students in Birmingham, Alabama. Summer Quest: Birmingham was launched by D2D with partner BlackSmith LLC, along with Regions Bank and the city of Birmingham Mayor’s Office in an effort to improve financial literacy and college readiness for high school youth throughout the greater Birmingham area. Over 200 students completed up to 20 finance and college related “quests,” which earned them points toward prizes such as scholarship money, electronics, and gift cards. Examples of quests included creating a music video about application forms, practicing ACT and SAT questions, researching colleges and universities, and competing in D2D’s award-winning Financial Entertainment titles.

The innovative city-wide program was the first of its kind to engage youth in financial literacy using game mechanics. Birmingham Mayor William Bell backed the pilot, saying such gamified experiences are opportunities to provide youth with the financial tools and understanding they need to be productive young adults.