Tropicana’s New Game Lets You Take Sweet, Juicy Aim at Rainforest Loggers

Posted: April 14th, 2009 | Author: Steve | Filed under: Humor, Sustainability | Comments

Tropicana is attempting to put the squeeze on rainforest logging with its Rescue the Rainforest campaign and its recently-announced partnership with CoolEarth. To increase awareness of the problem, the company has launched a new flash game called Rainforest Rescue.

The game lets you save the rainforest by playing the role of some very enterprising monkeys who happen to have acquired medieval siege technology (i.e., a slingshot), and have begun bombarding the encroaching loggers with acid-based chemical weapons (i.e., Oranges). Unfortunately for the monkeys, it appears that deforestation has left them with a deformity that causes one eye to be much bigger than the other, messing with their aim. That’s why they need your help. Luckily for you, the loggers are hell-bent on destruction. Like simple-minded storm troopers, they eagerly advance towards their sweet but sticky demise.

Real-world results through gaming (Part 2)

Posted: July 18th, 2008 | Author: Steve | Filed under: Technology | Comments

Previously, I wrote about how powerful simulations games are, and the potential that they have for helping us navigate through the stormy waters of the early 21st century. Recently, I was discussing this with a friend of mine, and he suggested that I read Ender’s Game, a science-fiction book by Orson Scott Card.

Real-world results through gaming (first in a series)

Posted: July 11th, 2008 | Author: Steve | Filed under: Technology | Comments

Computer simulations represent some of the most useful tools ever invented, allowing us to experience all manner of complex, dangerous, expensive or long-term situations in short time periods, and letting us try them out over and over and over again without experiencing the potential consequences. The applications range from nuclear weapons testing to pilot training to immersive gaming environments.