The Development Game is a response to a need arising out of one of the main activities of the Institute of Development Studies namely, that of providing study seminars on specific problems in the field of economic development. The seminars are intended to improve the power of senior level civil servants from less developed countries to make well-informed decisions.
After some initial experience with these courses, it was felt that certain seminars might benefit from the introduction of a total development simulation exercise. The model-building phase began in January, 1968 and by the end of the same year, a prototype programme had been used with considerable success in seminars
on “Aid and Trade” and on “Implementing Development Plans.”