Dawn of the Ducks

Dawn of the ducks is a single player game and simulation developed for the evolutionary psychology course to teach concepts of evolution. By controlling environmental conditions and duck traits, users observe how natural selection, mutation and adaptation shape survival and reproduction over multiple generations. In experiment mode, users can fully customise duck traits and environmental pressures, enabling them to test evolutionary outcomes. In play mode, users face scenario-based challenges and strategically select ducks to overcome obstacles such as predators, diseases and natural disasters.

This case is intended for instructors of evolutionary psychology. The objective of this game is to allow students to observe how genetic mutations and selective retention affect a population of ducks adapt to their environment. By so doing, students will learn how traits are connected to genes and how new traits arise from random genetic mutations; traits are shaped through the evolutionary process of selective retention occurring across numerous generations and basic evolutionary processes underlie human psychology.

Inspection copies and teaching notes are available for university faculty. To receive an inspection copy and teaching note, please email cmpshop@smu.edu.sg with your registered faculty email ID and a link to your contact information on the faculty directory at your university as verification. An inspection copy and teaching note will then be sent to your faculty email account.

Download information

SMU Faculty/Staff can download the case & teaching note on iNet with your SMU login ID & Password via the following links:

·      The Case (SMU-25-0012)

·      Teaching Note (SMU-25-0012TN)

For purchase of the case and supplementary materials via The Case Centre, please access the following links:

·      The Case (SMU-25-0012)

·      Teaching Note (SMU-25-0012)

For purchase of the case and supplementary materials via Harvard Business Publishing, please access the following links:

·      The Case (SMU-25-0012)

·      Teaching Note (SMU-25-0012)