Trash Tycoon Hopes to Teach Young Gamers the Virtue in Preservation
Omar Yusuf — October 19, 2011 — Tech
References: facebook & treehugger
Whereas almost all real-time strategy games implore players to extract and process the finite minerals of the Earth, Trash Tycoon sends a distinctly unique message: find, salvage and recycle everything possible.
It’s a basic premise among top-down strategy games that the land is to be plundered and ravaged in the name of economic expansion. But Guerillapps, the developers behind Trash Tycoon, is intent on changing that dejecting paradigm. Instead of wanton destruction, the Facebook application charges players with the task of cleaning up the environment by collecting recyclable papers, simple plastics, glass and composted waste. Upcycling plants allow the participating gamers to fabricate all kinds of interesting products using discarded trash. Using the vast Facebook social network, players are ranked against one another by their town’s “Greenness” level. Hopefully, this eco-friendly competition will eventually translate into the real world!
It’s a basic premise among top-down strategy games that the land is to be plundered and ravaged in the name of economic expansion. But Guerillapps, the developers behind Trash Tycoon, is intent on changing that dejecting paradigm. Instead of wanton destruction, the Facebook application charges players with the task of cleaning up the environment by collecting recyclable papers, simple plastics, glass and composted waste. Upcycling plants allow the participating gamers to fabricate all kinds of interesting products using discarded trash. Using the vast Facebook social network, players are ranked against one another by their town’s “Greenness” level. Hopefully, this eco-friendly competition will eventually translate into the real world!
Trend Themes
1. Eco-friendly Gaming - Developing video games that promote and encourage players to engage in environmentally friendly practices
2. Upcycling Products - Increasing the use of salvaged materials and waste to create new products through upcycling plants
3. Green Competition - Creating social media-based competitions that incentivize eco-friendly practices and reward sustainable behavior in real life
Industry Implications
1. Video Game Industry - Video game companies can capitalize on the potential for eco-friendly gaming by developing similar games and tapping into the growing demand for sustainable practices.
2. Waste Management Industry - Through partnering with video game companies, waste management firms can incentivize and educate users about proper waste disposal and recycling practices through gaming.
3. Social Media Industry - Social media platforms can expand their offerings by creating and hosting eco-friendly competitions, giving users an additional reason to engage on the platform and building a more socially responsible brand.
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