Sustainable Behavior in the Fishing Cards Digital Game: A Comparative Analysis Across Extraction Patterns

Marlon Alexandre De Oliveira ^1,2 Giovan Willian Ribeiro ³ Kalliu Couto Carvalho ^4* Julio Cesar De Rose ^1,2

• ¹ National Institute of Science and Technology on Behavior, Cognition and Teaching – INCT|ECCE, São Carlos, Brazil
• ² Department of Psychology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
• ³ Center for Mathematics, Computing and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
• ⁴ Department of Behavioral Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway

Sustainability is achieved when resources are used to meet current needs without compromising their availability for future generations. This study examined fishing behaviors across age groups using the Fishing Cards digital game. Participants (N = 30) played 40 second rounds, using two types of cards to catch fish: one less powerful and the other with higher resource extraction density. The game consisted of two phases. In Phase 1, resources were unlimited, allowing participants to fish freely. In Phase 2, resources were limited and could be depleted, potentially leading to defeat in the game.The research aimed to examine whether InterResponse Time (IRT) for fishing responses changed and how card selection patterns and resource availability influenced participants' choices. Specifically, the goal was to observe how behaviors shifted when resources became finite and limited, with card selections supporting their renewal. Statistical analysis was conducted using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM). Findings showed a reduction in the selection of the most powerful card and an increase in IRT during the limited resource phase, indicating more sustainable extraction patterns. As resource availability decreased, participants were less likely to use the most powerful cards. The study contributes to understanding sustainable behavior in experimental analogs and highlights the potential of digital gaming for environmental education and sustainability. Limitations are acknowledged