Time to Face the Future
Avid gamers have yet another reason to rejoice as Related Designs and Ubisoft Blue Byte release the latest game from their stable: anno 2070. Set in the year 2070, the game explores a fantasy situation, uncannily similar to what we are facing today. Global warming and rising sea levels have forced mankind to replenish its rapidly depleting natural resources by moving to the deep sea. With smaller habitats and scarcer resources, technology and research invariably becomes the key to power, not unlike our contemporary world. Gamers are required to build their empires in this unsettling scenario using the new technology, while effectively combating ecological hurdles.
The game has three factions: The Eden Initiative or the “Ecos”, The Global Trust or the “Tycoons”, and the S.A.A.T. or the “Tech”. Ecos are environment-oriented and build stronger cities, but are neither efficient nor quick to expand. Tycoons are industry-favored and expand quickly, but have dwindling resources and pollution problems. The Tech is a support system which the other two use in researching the latest and most powerful technologies. Scientists from the Tech dive into the deep to discover & exploit new found riches to support the Ecos & Tycoons. Algae farms, tidal turbines & oil exploration are just some of the opportunities their discoveries bring.
The gameplay involves World Events which involve all players to join hands and complete missions; and Current Events where individual players can compete for particular quests. In anno 2070, politics are not defined by countries, boundaries, religions, etc., but how humans choose to produce energy. There’s just one global government – the three main factions of the game control the world’s decisions. Players can vote for a World President and vote in Senate Council. Participation will give different effects to all players, depending on who is president or what bill was passed, until the next cycle of voting begins.
The highlight of the game lies in the choices that a gamer is forced to make. Faced with opting between industry and ecology, or in other words, between growth and harmony with nature, it is a tough call indeed.
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