“Fate of the World” is the title of a game recently unveiled by Red Redemption. I’m sure by now you’ve heard of the game not least because of the conversations it’s sparking in the press.
The game deals squarely with the effects of climate change on our planet. Using information from NASA, the UN and Oxford university (among others) the dev team have arranged a cause and effect engine based on predictions of the near future. The player will have the power to end famine and war, alter birth rate and stem the tide of extinction, or simply destroy everything.
The time-scale is 200 years and it starts just 10 years from now. In 2220 you could be hailed as the saviour of our species, or scorned as the one responsible for our demise. The idea behind the project is to raise awareness to the growing problems on the planet – the sense of urgency is designed to inspire younger gamers to seriously consider higher learning on the subject.
Some believe that giving a user genuine statistics about serious global issues with an eye to playing a game is absurd. There are mechanics in the game that allow you to cause unrest: there is even a game mode in which you are expected to rain destruction. Famine, war, pollution and extinction are all at your finger tips as you pick and choose as a World Leader.
“Fate of the World” was developed in partnership with academics working under Oxford University climate change expert Doctor Myles Allen.
The game “allows people to experience the decisions we are likely to confront and makes clear there are no easy answers”, Allen said.
Although I have yet to play the game I am under the impression that, although it has it’s heart in the right place, Fate of the World is falling somewhat shy of the mark.
My only concern is the Wikipedia effect. Nowadays it is perfectly reasonable to scan a Wiki page in order to profess well-researched information about any given topic – often times the authority of the site is such that arguments are settled on the basis of a single reference. Of course the difference is that Wikipedia is user generated, and this game is hailed as a well sourced, fact driven project – this does not, however, remove the professorial potential. With something so delicately balanced on estimations and forecasts it endangers an entire audience of becoming “experts”.
All in all it’s a fantastic operation and a vast majority are impressed by the mission-statement and production of the game. Fair play to Red Redemption – for the consideration of education and charity.
Despite its straightforward graphics, the game has been welcomed by environmental and development groups, which were on board throughout the process.