Jonáš Rosecký

With the onset of digital technologies, conveying information to the young generation is becoming evermore challenging, forcing us to explore alternative methods, such as using video games. A typical area that could benefit from innovation is geography, where we want to convey the relationship between selected geographical locations and related phenomena, such as flooding, global warming, criminality, or service availability. Appropriate visualization and interaction in an engaging environment can significantly increase the chance of this information being embraced. To address this, we present T erra T inker , an open‐source tool that transforms geospatial data into visualizations within the Minecraft video game. The interface of the tool enables users without extensive programming skills to adjust the visual appearance of the generated map according to their needs. The tool was tested and evaluated by visualization and geography experts, who gave us valuable feedback and confirmed the benefits and contributions of T erra T inker .

Digital tools, especially games, are increasingly important for enabling citizen participation in urban planning. Among these, Minecraft has been widely utilized to engage children, leveraging its virtual environment to represent geospatial data. However, systematic methods for collecting and analyzing player-generated data within Minecraft remain underexplored. Playful Participatory Planning System (P-PPS) framework that transforms player actions (e.g., building, removing, planting) within Minecraft, using OpenStreetMap (OSM) data to create game environments, back into geospatial data for analysis. The framework’s applicability was demonstrated through two case studies, one with 58 schoolchildren and 18 adults in Ireland. The results reveal that schoolchildren, while highly engaged, demonstrated a high density of actions within limited areas, suggesting a need for guidance on spatial distribution and ecological considerations. In contrast, adults prioritized the urban context and exhibited greater spatial consistency in their actions. Challenges emerged in managing online interactions, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines and moderation strategies. This research demonstrates the potential of Minecraft as a platform for participatory urban planning, exploring its use as a collaborative immersive mapping tool.