Like any electrical appliance, games consoles are responsible for a whole heap of CO2 emissions. However, Microsoft is attempting to address this imbalance by launching a competition to create a climate change challenging game for their Xbox 360 system.
Launching across 100 US universities in August, the ‘Xbox 360 Games for Change Challenge’ initiative will encourage students to use the Microsoft programming toolset to make games about the pressing environmental issue.
For the year-long programme Microsoft have partnered with New York-based non-profit group Games for Change.
At the end of year-long competition three student development teams will be invited to present their games to Microsoft and Games for Change officials. Scholarship prizes will be awarded to all three and internships at Microsoft Games Studios offered to the top team. The three finalists will also have their games considered for release on Xbox Live Arcade.
Microsoft Corporate Video’s President of Global Marketing Jeff Bell told MTV GameFile: “Hopefully the very best games will encourage the participant to explore different points of view and the consequences and be fully informed and engaged and able to be a better citizen and participant in general society.”
Games concerning climate change are not a new concept, though. Both the BBC and Starbucks have developed basic online games to educate, entertain and encourage action in their users. Try your hand via the links below.
Click here for Games For Change website
Cilck here for Xbox 360 website
Click here for the BBC ‘Climate Challenge’ game
Click here for Starbucks ‘Planet Green Game’
