Your Avatar, Your Future

Do you ever think about the future?  Chances are you probably do as a reader of GSI’s blog.  In that case, have you ever thought that you have the solution to some looming global catastrophe?  If so proceed to the next question.  Do you like to play?  No doubt.  Well, the Institute for the Future is coming out with something that might interest you - Superstruct.  According to the creators, the portmanteau of a name represents Homo Sapien’s ability to survive by adapting and building better and ostensibly greater structures from preexisting ones and our need to mobilize this innate ability to deal with future problems.  According to Discover Magazine, the game presents you with the specter of human extinction, as predicted by the Global Extinction Awareness System (the successor to Homeland Security’s Advisory System?) and asks you how we as a species can beat the clock.  In Superstruct, humanity is faced with 5 “super-threats” (similar to GSI’s 7 Revolutions) and you, the user, must evaluate these threats and come up with solutions in collaboration with fellow humans, other users.

This not particularly cheery view of the future is not unique, but the way the game approaches the problem is.  The Institute of the Future is using the game as a form of crowdsourcing, opening the not so simple task of saving the world to the masses.  The Institute turned to gaming out of the idea that fun encourages people to think and engage and out of the belief that gamers can accomplish great things.  We all know a gamer or two, and it’s hard to doubt their dedication and creativity.

Be sure to check out their website and sign up to receive an email once the game launches (scheduled for September 22nd).  You can expect a follow-up post once the site is operational.  In the meantime, check out World Without Oil, a similar effort about what the world will look when the pumps run dry.