Introduction
The campaign against climate change necessitates a new type of civic engagement that challenges young individuals to make a difference. Lumb (2023) indicates that video games can educate and involve players, particularly young people, in climate change while promoting the development of constructive ideas, sentiments, and behaviors. Players become excellent participants in decisions in past, present, and future scenarios, thus transforming into integral symbolic subjects.
Survive the Century
Survive the Century exposes players to the problems and repercussions of climate change. The fictitious game was based on fundamental research and aimed to enlighten players about the political, ecological, and social decisions humans will confront between 2021 and 2100 (Beckbessinger et al., n.d.).Through a series of simulations and decision-making challenges, players must address the complex issues of environmental policy, resource management, and societal adaptation to reduce the effects of climate change and ensure humanity’s future.
The game blends ludology and diegesis mechanisms to provide an immersive experience. Ludology emphasizes gameplay features, including asset management, decision-making, and tactical thinking as players traverse diverse situations involving environmental concerns and policy challenges. Diegesis immerses players in a narrative-driven universe where they directly see the effects of climate change, understand the importance of mitigation efforts, and grapple with ethical quandaries about sustainability.
Floodland
Floodland is another compelling video game that exposes players to a post-apocalyptic planet devastated by increasing sea levels and severe flooding. It is based on online city-building on a planet drowned by global warming (Shaw, 2022). Players must balance competing cultures and limited resources to usher their people into a new era.
Ludology mechanics drive gameplay by emphasizing resource management, survival techniques, and strategic decision-making as players navigate dangerous landscapes and face various obstacles. Diegesis mechanics enrich the game’s narrative by telling a gripping story of human struggle, adaptability, and optimism amid environmental disasters—floodland interests players on both strategic and emotional levels.
Mission 1.5
Mission 1.5, produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Playmob. According to UNDP (2020), the game teaches players about solutions to climate change by allowing them to vote on essential environmental projects they want implemented. UNDP uses the replies to assist countries worldwide in developing and implementing climate strategies and policies.
Ludology enables users to engage in interactive gameplay that involves strategic choices, resource allocation, and policy development to address environmental concerns. They work through situations that mimic real-world climate challenges, developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Diegesis mechanics deepen the game’s storyline by engaging players in a rich narrative that emphasizes the importance and complexities of climate action. Through compelling narratives and interactive gameplay, Mission 1.5 effectively educates and empowers players to advocate for sustainable solutions and environmental stewardship, bridging the gap between awareness and action in the fight against climate change.
Daybreak
Daybreak offers a positive outlook for the near future, in which players can create groundbreaking technology and resilient societies needed to decarbonize the planet. Ludological mechanics propel gameplay forward by emphasizing strategic decision-making, resource management, and curiosity as players navigate treacherous terrain and face various challenges. They must gather supplies, build shelters, and defend themselves against threats while balancing their limited energy and resources (Theel, 2023).
Diegesis mechanics enrich the game’s narrative by immersing players in a sophisticated storytelling experience in which they investigate the world’s mysteries and develop friendships with other survivors through dialogue and exploration. Using ludology and diegesis techniques in Daybreak creates a dynamic and intriguing experience that encourages players to adapt, strategize, and eventually survive.
Climate Fresk
Climate Fresk is a science-based collaborative workshop that aims to help people understand the causes and consequences of climate change. According to the UNDP (2022), the game is set in a dynamic virtual world where players must manage environmental factors and societal elements to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Through ludology, players engage in strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and policy implementation to address environmental challenges and shape the future of the planet. They navigate scenarios that represent real-world dilemmas, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Diegesis mechanics enhance the game’s narrative depth by immersing players in a rich storytelling experience that underscores the urgency and interconnectedness of climate action. Through engaging storytelling and interactive gameplay, Climate Fresk teaches and motivates participants to support sustainable practices and environmental responsibility, helping transform climate awareness into meaningful action against climate change.
Conclusion
Video games are increasingly being used to enlighten people about climate change. Several games have been developed to foster constructive ideas, sentiments, and behaviors. Survive the Century is a forward-looking game seeking to expose players to the harms and impacts of climate change. Floodland challenges players to find solutions, set on a post-apocalyptic planet devastated by rising sea levels and severe flooding.
Mission 1.5 adopts an educational approach, teaching about possible ways to mitigate climate change. Daybreak offers an optimistic stance on the times ahead, encouraging players to develop unique technologies and resilient societies to build a better world. Climate Fresk is science-based and focuses on helping people understand the roots and implications of climate change. The games are among the many being developed to raise awareness of different aspects of climate change and to guide the development of tactics to address the problem.
References
Beckbessinger, S., Nicholson, S. & Trisos, C. (n.d.). Survive century.
Lumb, D. (2023). Video games are finally waking up to climate change. CNET.
Shaw, H. M. (2022). How floodland uses present-day climate crisis to inform its design. Game Rant.
Theel, C. (2023). Daybreak, the board game about fighting climate change, is blindly optimistic.
UNDP. (2020). Mission 1.5: A Game on Climate Change.
UNDP. (2022). Climate Fresk: Students learn the science behind climate change’s causes and consequences.