Seriously Fun Environmental Challenges

Posted by Shaun Abrahamson on Friday, 30 May 2008

Games are increasingly at the center of how learning is done. The US Army realized this some time ago, when they introduced Americas Army. So it’s no coincidence that in the book Generation Kill, a military engagement in Iraq inspired this comment – “I was just thinking one thing when we drove into that ambush,” he enthuses. “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. …”. So games can teach killing. Yes thats the same sales-record-setting GTA .

But what else can games teach? Recently, Harvard Business School weighed in on the matter in Leaderships Online Labs. Here they discuss how collaboration in multi-player games is providing training for a new generation of leaders. This is not just target practice.

So could games be used to solve bigger problems? Or at least to help people learn to think through a complex issue and potentially lead to a solution. It does seem hopeful. So we were excited to see a new game, built for Greenpeace by Almap BBDO in Brazil (Parabens Sergio!).

The game encourages players to collaborate to understand and solve climate change problems – its call WeAtheR. Its beautifully crafted and playful, but the issues at hand are deadly serious. It’s an inspired way to educate (and be educated) and we look forward to seeing this in schools, soon, not just in Brazil, but around the world.

Learning is not just limited to online either – there is a board game created from recycled materials, of course. Maybe the characters could be sold too and funds channeled back to expand development of the game – I’d love to get one for Max. More background about the project, is provided in this case study.

Posted in: Serious Play | Tagged: americas army, BBDO, gaming, grand theft auto, greenpeace, harvard business school, weather | No Comments