Scrappy City: A Waste Management Simulation Video Game Promoting Environmental Awareness

“Scrappy City” is an innovative 2D waste management simulation video game designed to promote environmental awareness among young adults and teenagers. Developed using the Unity Game Engine, this Android-based mobile application gamifies waste management education, offering an engaging platform for learning about proper waste disposal practices and environmental stewardship. The game incorporates key features such as an open-world environment, educational non-playable characters, and a progressive star system to unlock new areas. The implementation leverages three core algorithms: NPCs utilize Decision-Tree Logic for dynamic interaction and mission management, achieving 98.5% dialogue path accuracy; the inventory system employs a hashmap with stacking and counting algorithm for waste categorization, demonstrating an F1 score of 0.935; and a state-based check algorithm underpins the achievement system, maintaining 99.7% state tracking accuracy with an F1 score of 0.979. This study uses the ISO 25010:2023 software quality model to evaluate the game's effectiveness, focusing on functional suitability, performance efficiency, interaction capability, reliability, and security. Results from a survey of 100 participants across diverse age groups and occupations demonstrate exceptionally positive reception, with all evaluated criteria receiving “Excellent” ratings. Technical performance analysis shows response times averaging under 150ms across all systems, with memory usage optimized for mobile devices. The game's usability, performance metrics, and educational value were particularly praised, indicating its potential as a powerful tool for environmental education. This research contributes to the growing field of serious games for education, offering insights into effective design strategies and algorithm implementation for environmental awareness games.