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Although it’s a cold and dismal day outside, apparently the world’s climate is on the up and now the BBC is giving gamers a virtual chance to see if they can avert an international crisis that could one day see Eskimos wearing Bermuda shorts and playing beach volleyball.
Putting players in the “hot seat”, web-based game Climate Challenge will task them to guide Europe from 2000 to 2100 and make choices that could mean the difference between a safe or dangerous future for humanity. No pressure then.
Players will have to juggle the demands of running a country, delivering food, water and clean energy and, of course, trying to save the planet from getting all hot and bothered. Make the wrong choices and you can even get voted out of power, not that this has happened so far in the real world.
The game has been developed by leading environmental games company Red Redemption Ltd and designed in co-operation with Oxford University’s Centre for the Environment.
Gobion Rowlands, producer of Climate Challenge explained: “As we developed the game it was amazing seeing the science come together with the strategy elements. The chance to try out different strategies was exciting and seeing the subtle interplay of different policies and technologies whilst trying to negotiate a global response was both challenging and rewarding.”
Environment and Climate Change Minister Ian Pearson has personally welcomed the game, which launches on the Beeb’s Science and Nature website on January 16.
Climate Challenge is mainly targeted at gamers aged 25-35 but a second version is being developed as a learning aide for school children.
