Chicago-based creative studio Elephant & Falcon™ is set to launch a new mobile platform in August 2025, aiming to revitalize democratic participation through gamification. The app, described as a "civic companion," is designed to deepen community and government connections by integrating game mechanics into civic engagement.
Jani Anderson, founder and creative technologist at Elephant & Falcon™, is leading the initiative with the goal of restoring confidence in democratic processes. The platform will serve as a comprehensive guide and action hub, offering users directories of local and national decision-makers and personalized study materials to clarify elections and local government roles. Key features include verified online canvassing and digital signature collection to enable direct citizen action.
At its core, the app incorporates a social network specifically designed for substantive civic discourse and collaborative problem-solving, providing a focused alternative to mainstream social media. Advanced real-time data visualizations will present civic statistics and legislative progress in easily understandable formats. A notable feature is the "learn-to-earn" model, inspired by digital asset incentives, which will reward users with small incentives for completing educational modules and quizzes on civic topics.
Anderson stated, "Gamification helps people see positive feedback loops. It builds momentum." This approach aims to create engaging cycles of learning and participation, addressing citizen disengagement by making the process more rewarding. This strategy aligns with the growing trend in civic technology to make democratic processes more accessible, interactive, and motivating.
Research suggests that gamified approaches can significantly boost citizen motivation and participation by transforming civic duties into engaging experiences. The "learn-to-earn" mechanism, in particular, offers a modern incentive structure encouraging a deeper understanding of governance and policy. By making participation more approachable, the platform intends to foster a more informed and actively involved citizenry, thereby strengthening community bonds.
Elephant & Falcon™ is actively seeking collaborations with technical partners, UX and game developers, and investors to further develop the platform. The studio believes this initiative will be instrumental in rebuilding public trust and cultivating a more robust, participatory democracy.