Forest Rules is a multiplayer computer game where participants are entrusted with forest management. Every player decides how many trees should be cut down to fulfill their individual living needs. During the game the players monitor their revenue as well as their forest resources. When trees start to be in short supply and the forest does not regenerate quickly enough, participants need to cooperate. It turns out that business cannot be sustainably continued without proper care for the forest. To ensure successful cooperation all the game participants are required to follow common resolutions. If a player is suspected of abusing the trust of the group, other players can check the honesty of the game participants – and if such an abuse is exposed they can fine the rule-breaker. Such supervision costs, however.

The game shows how important it is to manage natural resources in a sustainable way. It highlights the significance of monitoring business activities and the mechanism of implementing sanctions. It develops analytical, decision-making and communicative skills. But most of all it raises awareness of social effects of individual actions.

The field tests of the game – in the previous, paper version – were conducted in Africa, within a local community. It is particularly recommended to people and groups interested in sustainable management of natural resources, forest services, communities who have access to the woods and forest ramblers.