Harrison Ford helps create green Facebook game
In Ecotpia, players will build a sustainable city while fighting off evil climate villains.
Tue, Mar 08 2011 at 1:58 PM EST
In an effort to draw more attention to their cause, Harrison Ford and Conservation International are turning to the online gaming world of Facebook.
Called "Ecotopia," the game will place players in the middle of a city overwhelmed with pollution and urban decay. Their goal is to introduce sustainable initiatives that will reverse the environmental damage and benefit your citizens. Along the way, participants will also have the opportunity to earn extra points for performing real-world green actions — as well as get other Facebook users involved in the action.
“As a passionate supporter of Conservation International’s work, I am excited that Talkie and CI are collaborating on Ecotopia,” said Ford, vice chairman of the organization’s board of directors. “This game represents a refreshing new way to engage millions of people in addressing critical environmental issues and finding solutions that work for the well-being of humanity.”
Each month, Conservation International will also introduce some "environmental villains" for players to combat as part of an expanding storyline. (May I suggest an angry 100-foot tall Sen. James Inhofe?)
With more than 300 million daily users, it makes sense that Conservation International would want to tap into the growing online gaming world of Facebook. Of course, one big question remains: Will people want to play a game with a message? That's something that will be a challenge for developer Talkie.
“Talkie’s new game will empower users to get excited about protecting nature and making environmentally smart decisions in their everyday life," said Peter Seligmann, chairman, CEO and founder of Conservation International.
We'll find out if the masses flock this coming April 4. In the meantime, check out Ecotopia's pre-launch page on Facebook here.
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Comments
A.C. Moore
05/12/2011 15:51 PM
As an architect with 40 years experience in helping to solve myriad urban issues, I applaud your wanting to expand the sustainable community design process into the social media arena. However, employing a dualistic process (with good guy/bad guy) only extends the consciousness of separation (from each other, planet, and creator) which is the root cause of all problems facing humanity. Twenty years of research on this subject has shown me that a new way of being human (WE) is required. Best.... More
