What if video games could help fight climate change?
Imagine a SimCity that puts people (not cars) and sustainability (not endless growth) first. Where designing a city that’s easy and safe to navigate on foot or by bike is not just possible but rewarded, with lower pollution and healthier citizens. Where constructing energy-efficient buildings provide long-term in-game benefits like lower energy demands, as well as a chance to learn about real world trends like passive housing.
This article for Wired follows my previous attempts to answer the question ‘What can a game programmer do about climate change?‘ In it I explore some possible ideas for how bug budget, mainstream video games could begin to weave the climate crisis into their narrative and gameplay in meaningful ways.
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