Saving Venice is a board game prototype conceived and developed by the VeNiss research group. Inspired by the mechanics of the iconic Monopoly, the game reimagines the Venetian lagoon as a dynamic and contested landscape.

The board is structured as a small archipelago of islands currently under investigation within the VeNiss project. As players move through the lagoon, they may acquire islands and decide how to manage them: preserving their existing condition, investing in sustainable interventions, or pursuing large-scale redevelopment projects. While each choice may generate economic benefits, it also affects the accumulation of “lagoon points,” which ultimately determine the final outcome of the game.

More than a purely recreational activity, Saving Venice invites players to critically reflect on the present and future of the Venetian lagoon. Throughout the game, the islands are subjected to profound transformations that reshape their identity and environment. Some evolve into highly commercialised landscapes dominated by skyscrapers and speculative architecture, while others fall into abandonment, overtaken by vegetation and decay. By the end of the match, the lagoon inevitably appears altered — not always for the better — regardless of who wins.

The game is further enriched by Venetian-themed playing pieces and 3D-printed models of selected islands, created from the processing of point clouds acquired during survey campaigns. These tangible elements enhance the immersive quality of the experience, fostering a stronger connection between scientific research, spatial representation, and playful storytelling.

Players explore the Venetian Lagoon by moving across a board inspired by a small archipelago of real islands currently being studied by the VeNiss project. At each turn, they roll the dice and navigate between islands, landmarks, and special locations, encountering opportunities, challenges, and unexpected events along the way.

The heart of the game lies in a series of transformable islands. When landing on one of these spaces, players must decide how the island will evolve: should it be redeveloped through ambitious commercial projects, generating immediate economic gains, or should it follow a more sustainable path that preserves its environmental and cultural value? Every choice affects both the player’s resources and the overall condition of the lagoon. As the game progresses, islands are gradually transformed, reshaping the landscape for all participants. Event cards and special locations introduce additional rewards, penalties, and surprises, reflecting the complexity of managing a fragile environment such as the Venetian Lagoon.

The game ends once all players have completed two rounds of the board or when all transformable islands have changed state. The winner is determined not only by economic success but also by the number of Lagoon Points accumulated throughout the game. By balancing personal interests with collective responsibility, players are encouraged to reflect on the challenges and consequences of different approaches to the future of Venice and its lagoon.