When asked to play a climate change themed video game I initially had my doubts that I would find one that would interest me as someone who doesn't particularly enjoy playing video games. Initially I found a game called Never Alone, which had beautiful graphics and what looked like it was going to be a great storyline. Later on I found out it was $14.99 on Steam, and I am really not trying to pay for a video game at this point in my life. However I found Precipice, which was free (yay!!) and wasn't yet taken on the list of games (possibly because you had to download it….it took me 25 minutes). So after that I loaded the game and it was actually more of an interactive story than a stereotypical “video game”. Initially you start out in the year 2030, the world has been ravaged by floods and other various climate disasters. The game lets you go back in time to 2010 and interact with three people, George, Paula, and Marcus. Marcus and Paula are married, and Paula has all these great ideas about climate change and what society has to do as a whole to better the situation. You have three goals in the game, and each one is linked to a character and how your actions and conversation can get them to realize their potential when it comes to climate change and creating a better future not only for themselves but also future generations. Entering into conversations with these characters, you are given several options for what to say, and your job is to prompt George and Marcus into realizing that their preconceived notions about climate change and how it’s not going to affect them in their home is grossly wrong, or trying to get Paula to share her ideas with the general public. Then the game transports you back to 2030 to see how your initial actions changed or didn’t change the future. I enjoyed this game because it shows that even starting a conversation can change someone’s point of view, their life, and the future. All of the characters are also great sources of information about how the world really is and how misinformation can be so toxic. It shows the player how their actions can either open someone up or close their mind to environmental issues. Here is a link to the download page for this game. It's a pretty short game, but has a lot of interesting information and concepts.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Precipice
When asked to play a climate change themed video game I initially had my doubts that I would find one that would interest me as someone who doesn't particularly enjoy playing video games. Initially I found a game called Never Alone, which had beautiful graphics and what looked like it was going to be a great storyline. Later on I found out it was $14.99 on Steam, and I am really not trying to pay for a video game at this point in my life. However I found Precipice, which was free (yay!!) and wasn't yet taken on the list of games (possibly because you had to download it….it took me 25 minutes). So after that I loaded the game and it was actually more of an interactive story than a stereotypical “video game”. Initially you start out in the year 2030, the world has been ravaged by floods and other various climate disasters. The game lets you go back in time to 2010 and interact with three people, George, Paula, and Marcus. Marcus and Paula are married, and Paula has all these great ideas about climate change and what society has to do as a whole to better the situation. You have three goals in the game, and each one is linked to a character and how your actions and conversation can get them to realize their potential when it comes to climate change and creating a better future not only for themselves but also future generations. Entering into conversations with these characters, you are given several options for what to say, and your job is to prompt George and Marcus into realizing that their preconceived notions about climate change and how it’s not going to affect them in their home is grossly wrong, or trying to get Paula to share her ideas with the general public. Then the game transports you back to 2030 to see how your initial actions changed or didn’t change the future. I enjoyed this game because it shows that even starting a conversation can change someone’s point of view, their life, and the future. All of the characters are also great sources of information about how the world really is and how misinformation can be so toxic. It shows the player how their actions can either open someone up or close their mind to environmental issues. Here is a link to the download page for this game. It's a pretty short game, but has a lot of interesting information and concepts.
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I think this would be a great short game to play. I personally like what you had to say, "It shows that even starting a conversation can change someone's point of view, their life, and the future." That is so true and I agree completely! I also agree with you that misinformation can be so costly to us humans.
ReplyDeleteI like that it suggests that one person can make a difference. I think a lot of people have this mindset and don't actively fight against climate change because of this very reason.
ReplyDeletePrecipice sounds like a great game for an academic environment. I like the fact that it's interactive and informs the user on how, socially, they can inform their peers about climate change.
ReplyDeleteI really like the concept of how starting one conversation can change the world. A lot of the games seem to deal with controlling entire worlds or at least cities, but this one shows the players that small things like starting conversations can be effective.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a really interesting storyline, from going from 2030 back into time. It definitely seems like one that I would enjoy and it also seems like a good classroom option! It seems like it could be pretty motivational from a personal change standpoint.
ReplyDeleteThis would be really cool to play as a class since it is shorter. It gives good conversation and would really teach students.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that the most important tool for addressing climate change would be to start a reasoned dialogue around the topic. It seems that this game does that in a way that is entertaining - an invaluable tool for students.
ReplyDeleteI think this game covers a very important part in combatting climate change. It's very tough to talk about climate change for a lot of people and this game may provide some ideas on how to do just that.
ReplyDeleteSo many people avoid the subject of climate change which does nothing but hurt our society as a whole. It appears that this game shows the importance of discussing climate change, while addressing the point that one person can make a difference. It is common to hear that a person does not think their single contribution has a large effect on climate change, but in the end, they all add up. Sounds like a really great game with an even greater message.
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