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Who said computer games can’t be educational? In a surprising move, game maker EA will collaborate with British Petroleum to provide alternative low-emission energy sources in the upcoming release SimCity Societies. Due to be released to gamers in North America and Europe on November 15, players will have the option of powering their creations with either traditional carbon-based sources or with alternative green technologies. True to real life, SimCity players who elect the cheaper CO₂ emitting sources will experience a rise in temperatures and natural disasters like floods, severe storms, droughts, and heat waves. Those who use more expensive, less powerful green sources will take a hit in the wallet, but experience higher property values and less dramatic weather.

Environmentally-minded players get to choose from a variety of BP Alternative Energy products, like hydrogen, natural gas, wind farms, and solar power. In-game snippets of information will also help inform players about the advantages of alternative power sources, providing an entertaining forum for environmental education. Considering the fact that computer games are a pervasive entertainment medium across all levels of society, this could turn out to be a very effective forum for teaching the necessity of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to children.

This kind of issue has been reflected before in the gaming world, notably in Sid Meier’s Civilization series, where based on the levels of pollution, prairies might turn to desert, the health of your citizens would decline, etc. It is especially notable in this case, however, because of the partnership with one of the world’s largest energy companies. BP has marketed itself recently as the first oil company to recognize the need for carbon-free energy sources, adopting the slogan “Beyond Petroleum” in 2005 with the formation of BP Alternative Energy. This division of the energy giant heads up solar, wind, natural gas, and hydrogen projects, even expanding so far as methane recapture ventures. While BP is to be commended for its efforts in this area (especially compared to other energy companies), one has to ask to what extent the partnership with SimCity is a viral marketing effort and a brilliant PR campaign.

It certainly is good press for both companies to include a global warming variable in the game; it’s a hot issue and its gaining support and credibility the world over, despite the many doubters of the effects of carbon dioxide on our atmosphere. However, just because CO₂ reduction is a popular issue doesn’t mean that the efforts of BP and SimCity are disingenuous. This joint venture clever way to shine light on an important issue through an extremely well-known medium. In fact, SimCity is one of the most popular gaming franchises in history, having sold more than 18 million games worldwide to date since 1989. For this reason, it doesn’t matter much to me if the motives behind the collaboration of SimCity and BP are pure: it’s a brilliant, responsible idea that will undoubtedly be effective.

Let’s hope other entertainment and energy companies follow in the footsteps of these two pioneers.

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007 Both comments and pings are currently closed.

By Haley January Eckels