Software Specification: MMT Board Game Generator

Executive Summary

The MMT Board Game Generator is a web-based tool that allows educators to create customized, printable board games demonstrating Modern Monetary Theory principles. Teachers can configure economic scenarios, adjust game parameters, and generate print-ready PDF components that reinforce core MMT concepts like 'government spends before it taxes' through interactive gameplay. The platform bridges digital customization with physical classroom experiences, making complex economic concepts accessible through gamification.

Tool Overview

Type: web app

Description: A digital platform where educators create customized MMT educational board games by selecting scenarios, adjusting economic parameters, and generating print-ready game components (boards, cards, tokens, rules) as downloadable PDFs optimized for classroom printing.

Primary Users: K-12 teachers, university economics professors, MMT educators, and curriculum developers

Problem Solved: Educators lack accessible, customizable tools to teach complex MMT concepts through hands-on, interactive methods that work in physical classroom settings

Key Features

[MVP] Scenario Configuration Engine

Interactive form system allowing educators to customize economic parameters like government spending priorities, tax rates, private sector activities, and starting economic conditions

User Story: As an economics teacher, I want to adjust government spending levels and tax policies so that I can demonstrate different MMT scenarios to my students

Complexity: medium

[MVP] Game Component Generator

Template system that produces print-ready PDFs of board layouts, player cards, government action cards, and game tokens based on configured scenarios

User Story: As an educator, I want to download professionally formatted game components so that I can print and assemble the game for classroom use

Complexity: complex

[MVP] MMT Concept Templates

Pre-built game configurations focusing on specific MMT principles like sectoral balances, job guarantee programs, and fiscal policy operations

User Story: As a teacher new to MMT, I want to select from expert-designed game scenarios so that I can teach accurate MMT concepts without deep economic expertise

Complexity: simple

[MVP] Discussion Prompt Generator

Automated system that creates contextual discussion questions and teaching notes based on selected game scenarios and difficulty levels

User Story: As an educator, I want guided discussion questions integrated into my game materials so that I can facilitate meaningful conversations about MMT concepts

Complexity: medium

[POST-MVP] Complexity Level Scaling

Adaptive game mechanics that adjust vocabulary, mathematical complexity, and concept depth based on selected grade level or audience sophistication

User Story: As a teacher, I want to adjust game complexity for different grade levels so that I can use the same core concepts with elementary through university students

Complexity: medium

[POST-MVP] Game Library and Sharing

User accounts with ability to save custom game configurations and share them with other educators in the platform

User Story: As an experienced MMT educator, I want to share my successful game configurations with colleagues so that we can build a community of effective teaching resources

Complexity: medium

[FUTURE] Gameplay Analytics Dashboard

Optional digital companion that tracks game outcomes and provides insights into student understanding based on gameplay decisions

User Story: As a teacher, I want to track how students perform in different game scenarios so that I can identify concepts that need reinforcement

Complexity: complex

User Workflows

Game Creation Flow

Steps:

1. User selects MMT concept template or creates custom scenario
2. User configures economic parameters via interactive forms
3. User previews generated game board and components
4. System generates print-ready PDF package
5. User downloads complete game package with instructions

Screens: Template Selection, Parameter Configuration, Game Preview, PDF Generation, Download Center

Template Customization Flow

Steps:

1. User browses pre-built MMT concept templates
2. User selects template matching their teaching goals
3. User adjusts difficulty level and class size parameters
4. System customizes template with user modifications
5. User generates and downloads customized materials

Screens: Template Library, Template Details, Customization Panel, Preview Mode, Download Center

Data Requirements

GameTemplate

Fields: name, description, mmt_concept, difficulty_level, default_parameters, created_by, is_public

Relationships: Has many GameConfigurations, belongs to User

Storage Notes: Templates should be version-controlled to allow updates while preserving user customizations

GameConfiguration

Fields: template_id, user_id, parameters_json, generated_files, created_at, last_modified

Relationships: Belongs to GameTemplate and User, has many GeneratedFiles

Storage Notes: Parameters stored as JSON for flexibility in adding new economic variables

GeneratedFile

Fields: configuration_id, file_type, file_path, file_size, generated_at

Relationships: Belongs to GameConfiguration

Storage Notes: Files should be temporarily stored with cleanup after 30 days unless user saves configuration

User

Fields: email, name, institution, grade_levels_taught, mmt_experience_level, created_at

Relationships: Has many GameConfigurations and GameTemplates

Storage Notes: Educational background helps customize experience and recommendations

Integrations with MMT Ecosystem

MMT Educational Resources (if available)

Type: API

Pull verified MMT educational content and concept explanations to enhance game templates and discussion materials

Data Exchanged: Concept definitions, educational objectives, discussion frameworks

MMT Community Forums

Type: embed

Allow users to share game experiences and get feedback from MMT educators community

Data Exchanged: Game configurations, teaching experiences, improvement suggestions

Technical Considerations

Suggested Stack: Python/Django backend with HTMX + Tailwind CSS + Alpine.js frontend

Hosting: Cloud platform with file storage for PDF generation and temporary file hosting

Authentication: Django built-in authentication with email verification for educators

Key Challenges:

• Complex PDF generation with dynamic layouts
• Managing file storage and cleanup
• Ensuring print quality across different printer types
• Balancing game complexity with educational effectiveness

MVP Scope

Included in MVP:

• Scenario Configuration Engine
• Game Component Generator
• MMT Concept Templates
• Discussion Prompt Generator

Excluded from MVP (Future):

• User accounts and sharing
• Complex analytics
• Mobile app companion
• Multi-language support

Success Criteria: Educators can generate and print functional MMT board games that successfully demonstrate 'government spends before taxing' concept in classroom settings

Development Phases

Phase 1: Core Generation Engine

Deliverables:

• Basic parameter configuration interface
• PDF generation system
• Single MMT template implementation

Phase 2: Educational Enhancement

Deliverables:

• Multiple MMT concept templates
• Discussion prompt system
• Print optimization features

Phase 3: Community Features

Deliverables:

• User authentication
• Game saving and sharing
• Template library expansion

Next Steps

1. Research existing board game PDF generation libraries and tools for Django
2. Create detailed mockups of game board layouts that effectively demonstrate MMT spending-before-taxing principle
3. Interview 3-5 economics educators to validate game mechanics and parameter options
4. Prototype PDF generation system with one simple MMT scenario to test print quality