The Rat Race

Meeting King Rat for the first time
Remi welcoming you on your first day
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Celebrating new insurance coverage of cat cars
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Sneak peak of what it means to be a Ratator

Introduction

In a world where the corporate “rat race” is all too familiar, our game, The Rat Race, offers a fresh, creative take on the grind of everyday work life—specifically through the lens of insurance. Built as an interactive web application, our project combines the excitement of gamified storytelling with the practical need for insurance education. Developed for the State Farm and Netflix Challenges, this project is designed to entertain, engage, and educate—without taking itself too seriously.

The Concept

The Rat Race takes players on a journey through a whimsical, yet insightful corporate world, where the player assumes the role of a new intern at Snout Farm Insurance. The aim? To navigate daily tasks, build relationships with coworkers, and understand the ins and outs of insurance policies while climbing the corporate ladder. Players can expect a dynamic, choose-your-own-adventure style narrative where every decision counts. Will you rise to the top or get eaten by a metaphorical cat? In this satirical take on corporate life, your success is determined by how well you handle customer claims, engage with coworkers, and make informed insurance decisions.

Core Features

Gamified Experience:

Players engage in quirky yet educational tasks, from fetching coffee for the elusive "King Rat" (the boss) to handling customer claims with empathy and professionalism. Every action is tied to a set of consequences—boosting your "Sales" and "Coworker" points or risking a trip to the corporate abyss.
Dynamic Storytelling:

The narrative is non-linear, with multiple paths and endings based on player decisions. Every choice—whether it's making a new friend at the office or getting a claim wrong—impacts the storyline, leading to one of several possible outcomes (including, but not limited to):
- Promotion: If you excel in your duties, you get promoted, advancing through the ranks of Snout Farm Insurance.
- Article Written About You: If you are bad enough at your job, the local community will take note. At least you still might be a good person at heart…
- Fired and Broke: Make poor choices, and you’ll face the grim fate of not being able to make rent.
- King of Ratopia: If your karma, sales, and coworker relationships are stellar, you can rule the office as the "King of Ratopia."
- A Tasty Snack: Bad rats get eaten by the cat. Don’t be a bad rat :(
- The Ratator: Some are drawn to benevolent goodness and care about supporting the lives of others. Some want to watch the world burn from their penthouse office while they eat cheese.
Insurance Education:

Interspersed throughout the narrative are moments where players must make informed insurance decisions. From selecting the right insurance plans for customers to understanding policies like deductibles, premiums, and risk assessment, the game introduces educational elements in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Interactive Customer Support:

The game features multiple customer service scenarios where players must respond to inquiries with accuracy and empathy. Whether it’s guiding a college student through insurance options or helping someone file a claim after an accident, your ability to communicate effectively and understand insurance jargon impacts your sales and coworker scores.

Why It's Creative and Fun

What sets The Rat Race apart is its blend of humor, creativity, and critical thinking. It tackles a serious topic—insurance—by wrapping it in an office-based, satirical storyline where players are forced to navigate a series of ridiculous, yet relatable, corporate situations. Through the use of decision-making, humor, and multiple branching storylines, we’ve created an interactive experience that’s both entertaining and educational. The incorporation of outlandish claims—like UFO damage and stolen cheese—adds an element of surprise and whimsy, making learning about insurance feel like a fun adventure rather than a dry lecture. It’s a lighthearted critique of corporate America, where every decision feels important, and the stakes are always high—even if it’s just about getting the right coffee for your boss.