McDonald's Interactive Games division breaks away from the corporation to warn of consequences of growing consumption and the flawed economic model that propels it.
We tried to tell the players to do fewer of the things that were leading to calamity – to reduce emissions, stop cutting forests, etc. But they didn't. Even if they knew what was going to happen, they invariably ended up playing to win. They might hold out for a while – but as soon as one took off towards greater profits, the rest did as well, so as not to be left behind and lose the game. What fun would that be?
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We in the serious software industry have a powerful tool at our disposal. We can use it to change the world, or we can use it to serve suicidal corporate policies. We urge all of you here to join us in choosing the former, cost what it may.
Read the announcement (powerpoint slides available) from McDonald's Interactive and the 2006 International "Serious" Games event.
