In the context of the climate crisis, the magic circle can serve as a powerful tool. This concept allows players to experiment with different strategies and outcomes without real-world consequences. In gaming theory, the “ magic circle” refers to the psychological space where the normal rules and realities of the world are suspended and replaced by the game’s artificial reality. As we face the urgent challenges ahead, I believe that such games can play a crucial role in fostering understanding, dialogue and action. Through these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how games can inspire players to learn about the climate crisis and motivate them to act. This allowed us to reach a broad audience and spark conversations about the climate crisis in a new and engaging way. Similarly, with Catan: Global Warming, we sought to introduce the impacts of the climate crisis into the familiar framework of a popular board game (by 2020, more than 32 million copies of Catan had been sold in 40 languages). We wanted players to grasp climate issues by experiencing them first-hand, not just hearing about them. We could then use this expertise and experience to make a game that simulates the real, tough trade-offs and chain reactions of climate change. Possible worked with us to facilitate development sessions with climate scientists, activists, industry representatives and policymakers. This helps them feel the challenges of fighting climate change in a hands-on way. ![]() They have to try to steer their city to zero carbon emissions. Throughout the game, players see how choices they make affect the environment over time. We also added event cards about topics such as misinformation and greenwashing – when companies make misleading claims about the green credentials of their products or practices while hiding unsustainable activities. Like choosing between energy sources that are cheaper right now versus ones that are better for the environment long-term. In the game, players have to make some tough choices. Our goal was to make a fun game that could also help players understand the complicated problem of climate change. When we started designing Carbon City Zero in 2018, my fellow gamemaker Paul Wake and I worked with charity and climate experts Possible. ![]() Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock Education and motivation Games about climate change can help people understand the contributory climate factors of catastrophes such as Greece’s wildfires. While digital and online games such as Horizon: Forbidden West and Terra Nil are also a powerful way of generating conversations about the climate crisis, the very act of getting around a table to play tabletop games means they create a more immediate opportunity for actually talking and collaborating. My work in designing games such as Carbon City Zero and Catan: Global Warming has provided me with valuable insights into the power of games as tools for communication and education. They also foster dialogue, providing a shared experience that players can discuss, debate and learn from.Īs a game designer and academic working in the sphere of science communication, I have a unique perspective on the intersection of gaming and the climate crisis. Climate crisis games pull you into possible futures where our real-life choices shape our current and future climate.īoard games like the soon-to-be-launched Daybreak, and CO₂: Second Chance and card game Tipping Point introduce players to the effects of the climate crisis, forcing them to adapt their strategies to survive and thrive. It’s similar to how Dungeons & Dragons pulls you into an imaginary magical world. And they can prepare us to make better choices. Games engage our brains in a different way than just hearing news about climate disasters. Tabletop games (board games, card games, role-playing games – anything that can be played around a table) have a unique ability to engage players in complex systems.Įxperiencing a scary imaginary future in a game can inspire players to take action in the real world. But it can still be hard to really understand how. When we see these disasters on the news, it’s clear we need to take action on climate change now. The dangerous wildfires burning across Europe show us how real the climate crisis has become.
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