Not all computer games are about gratuitous violence, wizards, wars and car races. A new breed of developers is creating offerings that not only entertain, but also inform and educate you about environmental, social, and political issues. And the best part is that they are free to play ...
Collapsus
Collapsus is a hybrid multimedia presentation that melds a documentary-like storyline with video footage, animation and mini games. This free-to-play offering revolves around the planet's energy crisis.
The story is set in a fictional world that's making its transition from fossil fuels to renewable resources. As part of the teething problems, cities start facing blackouts as they try hard to cope with the change. The game is played out on a single web page, and takes the form of a short film; as the story progresses, news items, games and videos get unlocked.
Players need to click and explore the game's interface to understand the crises at hand and get a better understanding of what's unfolding before them. Collapsus boasts great production value and a pacey narrative, guaranteeing a fun-filled , yet educational experience. www.collapsus.com
Bioharmonious
While we marvel at all the advancements man has made over the decades, our planet has also undergone tremendous change. However, we seldom notice ecological shifts - or realise that after-effects are usually felt several years down the line.
Bioharmonious tries to educate players on the precarious and unavoidable balance that needs to be maintained between 'manmade' and 'natural' elements.
In the game, you're presented with two planets - one is natural with a diverse ecosystem, while the other is artificially created, with polluting machinery. Both planets are dying because the original planet's survival is linked to the manufactured planet's continued existence... and vice-versa .
You play as one of the scientists entrusted with the task of saving both ecosystems. And you get just six minutes to do that. Depending on how you decide to restore harmony between the two, the game will end in six different ways.
Bioharmonious takes the fantasy route to demonstrate how our existence on planet Earth is indelibly linked to its natural resources. artworksforchange.org/bioharmonious
Half the Sky Movement
HtSM is a Facebook game that raises awareness about the problems that women face around the world. You play as Radhika, an Indian woman; sharing her journey as she completes quests and creates opportunities for herself, her family, and her community.
In the course of the game, you travel to Kenya, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and the US, eventually becoming a role-model for women worldwide. All the stories in this game, its developers say, are based on real-life examples of the work that is being done by seven organizations: The Fistula Foundation, GEMS, Heifer International, ONE, Room to Read, The United Nations Foundation, and World Vision. And each quest requires your character to make a series of decisions in order to achieve her goal.
At the end of each level, you are presented with an opportunity to get involved with issues you've just experienced - through direct donations towards causes, surgeries, donating books and more. As of November 2013, Half the Sky welcomed its one millionth player; has received over two lakh book donations, and contributions amounting to over 2 crore. www.facebook.com/halfthegame
Nation States
It's election time and almost all of us have an opinion on how the country should be run. This text-based game gives you a chance to build a nation, and run it according to your own ideologies.
Depending on how often you choose to play each week, you are presented with a number of pressing issues that require decisions. These can range from 'making voting compulsory' to 'censoring certain books' . Each issue comes with a number of options, and you have to decide how your government will act. The choices you make, will ultimately affect how your country shapes up.
Nation States lets you interact with other countries; join international groups where decisions are not made by you alone, but by ballot. The game not only forces you to think about where you stand on certain critical issues, but it also teaches you that things are usually not as simple as they seem. www.nationstates.net
Data Dealer
Be careful with whom you share your personal information. In Data Dealer, you'll learn how e-mail addresses, phone numbers, medical records, and social account profiles, can be obtained and sold for profit.
In the game, you play an unscrupulous character who owns a database that needs to be replenished continuously by floating online contests, dating websites and loyalty cards. You can bribe a disgruntled hospital employee to gain some medical records, which can then be sold to insurance companies. Buyers of your database could even be government agencies. Insidious, isn't it? Well, it doesn't end there; while you manage your shady dealings, there is the constant threat of getting hacked or being crippled by privacy activists and angry citizens.
This light-hearted game uncovers the darker side of online registration pages and forms we come across everyday. The next time you are asked for your personal details in exchange for a small gift or discount, think again. datadealer.com
Plague Inc
This one is a strategy game, but definitely unlike anything you've ever played before. Plague Inc is a race against time - only here, you're not saving the world; you're working against it. Your aim: To create a new disease that infects and obliterates humans before medical science can find a cure.
Gameplay involves creating a pathogen and then placing it anywhere on the map of the world. As the game progresses, you can collect DNA points to 'upgrade' your virus, making it more contagious and fatal. How your disease spreads depends on the choices you make: Developed countries are harder to infect. On the other hand, they have airports and seaports that can help in spreading your disease. Then, the country's climate, neighbours and resources play a big role too. All of these are real variables that determine the spread of any epidemic.