a strategic game aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050

Project Deliverable

Game Design

Game Mechanic

UI/UX

3D Assets

My Role

Research

3D Modeling

Scene Rendering

 

Team

Annie Xu

Alex Larson

Haowen Bao

Kit Chen

Timothy Chong

Instructor

Dargan Frierson

 

Game Context

Terra Futura is a strategic game aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. EarthGames Studio is working with Eric Holthaus on global strategy game about climate change, and this game is designed to be played on his book tour next year.

Terra Futura has similar concept from game like Civilization or Stellaris, but not about colonialism, war, or economic success. This game is built on real data/models, but where people aren't just statistics. We introduced happiness as one of the metrics to measure the outcome of players’ action.

Eric Holthaus: “To stay below 1.5°C the entire world has to have net zero emissions by 2050 and reduce current emissions by 50% in the next 10 years.”

Eric Holthaus: “To stay below 1.5°C the entire world has to have net zero emissions by 2050 and reduce current emissions by 50% in the next 10 years.”

 

Research

Global Warming of 1.5ºC

The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C was approved by the IPCC on Saturday in Incheon, Republic of Korea. It will be a key scientific input into the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December, when governments review the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change.

link to ipcc research on Global Warming of 1.5ºC

 

Happiness =

social support + log(GDP) + life expectancy + freedom to make choices + generosity + lack of corruption

According to the World Happiness Report, we came up with our own metrics of measuring people’s happiness in the game.

According to the World Happiness Report, we came up with our own metrics of measuring people’s happiness in the game.

 

Data Collections

Landscapes are divided into various types: tropical, subtropical, temperate, polar, highland, desert climates

Landscapes are divided into various types: tropical, subtropical, temperate, polar, highland, desert climates

 

Game Stat

Each climate region has a different multiplier for disaster damage

Each climate region has a different multiplier for disaster damage

 
The game has elements like “Quests” to interact with players as the game goes on.

The game has elements like “Quests” to interact with players as the game goes on.

 

3D Assets

I modeled most 3D objects here using Blender.

These models are made in Low Poly due to performance scaling.

building.jpg 
Sea Wall, Wetland, House,
School, Skyscraper,
Shelter, Temple
 
Coal plant, Gas plant, Hydro, Nuclear plant, Solar panel
 
disaster.jpg 
Drought, Flood, Heatwave, Trees
 

Game Play

building hydro plants

building hydro plants

upgrading buildings

upgrading buildings

when flood hit the buildings

when flood hit the buildings

 
 

Interface

building interface

building interface

 
event warning

event warning

status bar

status bar

 
quests

quests

 
 

Project Takeaway

  • Game is a great way to Introduce the severity of global warming to players.

  • It is important to keep all 3D assets low poly since there’s hundreds of objects in game.

What’s next?

  • More game play testing with different players.

  • refine the game dynamics and mechanics.

 
 

Thanks for reading!

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