How can we use game design patterns to inform and influence environmentally conscious and resilient behaviors in the real world?
The Game Design Patterns workstream is focused on building resources that can help us understand how to build climate conscious games and interactive experiences that create a measurable impact. By understanding what “good” looks like, we can meet the triple bottom line of people-planet-profit.
Games can serve as reflections of how we see the world - and give players an opportunity to interact with endless possibilities.
IMPORTANT: To see community resources still in ACTIVE development, you will need to opt in and request access to our SIG Google Group. This ensures that we can keep the hard work of our community safe and secure before they are ready for full public release. Thank you for your kindness!
What are the resources we’re currently building together?
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For impact-driven game design
The Environmental Game Design Playbook is an unprecedented international grassroots effort to establish a common design language for discussing climate action in games, with tools grounded in environmental psychology. Previously lovingly known as the CLATEN Framework or Tactics Report.
As of 4/2022, our alpha version is now live! We’re now in the process of building our pilot programs with developers and higher education game design programs. Join us to help test this resource for usability, relevance (to design processes), and applicability! We will then work to iterate and expand upon the alpha release post-summer 2022.
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For identifying effective climate actions
In parallel with the Playbook, the Actions Wiki provides direction on specific messaging and/or activities that have actively been utilized by climate advocates to enable a more climate conscious and positive future in the real world.
As of 12/21, we need help with continuing to gather information, create content, and identify climate science and advocacy partners who can help us ensure accuracy and validity. Each Action will go through impact validation research and expert review in 2022.
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For concrete examples already in the market
The Climate Games Database is serves as our living source of information regarding what the video game industry has done to date related to climate messaging and/or climate conscious actions in and as a result of gameplay. Metadata includes what topics are covered, how it was reviewed by experts and players, and what impact has been made to date (if any).
As of 12/2021, we need help with continuing to gather metadata and conduct outreach to game developers for their input and/or collaboration.
Community Notes, Research Plans, and Miscellaneous
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Design Patterns Meeting Notes
These are the meeting notes from each bi-weekly meeting, hosted on Wednesdays @ 4pm UTC / 12pm PT.
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Actions Wiki Meeting Notes
These are the meeting notes from each bi-weekly meeting, hosted on Mondays @ 1pm UTC / 9am PT.
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Climate Games Database Research Plan
This is a living document detailing how data is being collected for the climate games database. It also includes the results from our most recent survey, detailing what metrics game developers want prioritized for V1 release.
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Climate Impacts Based on Sustainable Development Goals
To inform the Design Patterns workstream, the Atlantic Council team developed a robust spreadsheet breaking down (1) the downstream impacts of the climate crisis and (2) the types of skills and knowledge that can be gained through gameplay to mitigate or address said effects.
We need game developers, climate scientists, researchers, academics, and players to help us refine these resources and run pilots in 2022!
Send us an email, or Join the Discord and reach out to the @Design Patterns workstream -
led by Hugo Bille, Arnaud Fayolle, and Clayton Whittle!
Image Source: Beyond Blue by E-Line Media.