IBM Launches PowerUp, a Free Multiplayer Online Game to Save the Planet

IBM is launching a free multiplayer online game (PowerUp) challenging teenagers to help save the planet “Helios” from ecological disaster. The game is part of IBM’s TryScience initiative and will be launched at Engineer’s Week 2008 opening on February 16 in Washington, D.C. The game, which can be played alone or together, features a planet in near ecological ruin where three exciting missions for solar, wind and water power must be solved before sandstorms, floods or SmogGobs thwart the rescue.

As co-chair of this year’s Engineer’s Week, an annual effort to promote engineering careers to students across the world, IBM devised the 3D virtual game to engage kids and educators in engineering, energy, and diversity awareness. Online video gaming is on the rise, with kids spending greater amounts of time online in fantasy play. PowerUp aims to use kids’ interest in fantasy virtual worlds to encourage them to learn about engineering principles by riding over rugged mountains in buggies to build solar towers or searching through grim junk yards to repair wind turbines. They will also learn about energy conservation by the choices they make in completing their missions. The game also features non-player characters that represent a diverse cross section of the population, to be role models to encourage every young person to consider a career in engineering and they act as guides for the game.

Source: IBM

 

PowerUp... I've seen that name before somewhere...

 

Played it already

A group I'm in at school went to IBM and we beta tested the game. It was pretty rough then but I think they've made improvements. It uses the Torque engine. When we played they unlocked this water gun thing for us so we could run around and shoot other players which was fun, whether thats included I don't know. I don't think any of us bothered to do any of the missions. Becuase its a game aimed at all ages, it uses phrase-based chat. :shadedshu It will be interesting to see how the finished game is, it was pretty buggy when we tested. One surpising thing is how accurate the release date is. When we went several months ago they told us it would be released in Feb 16th but it was NDA and we couldn't tell anyone. I wish 3D Realms had this type of precision.

 

Sounds like SimCity but with a twist. More companies should be like IBM.

 

Dear IBM,

Please spend less time trying to make the next farking Second Life and more time effectively promoting your server software, because I really, really don't like Microsoft Exchange.

Sincerely,

A Loyal Minion

 

EcoPowerUp!?

 

Just played it. Its god awful.

 

Goooo planet! XD

so what, no group of five teenagers with 'spechal' element rings, that when they combine them some pansy with their undies on the outside apperar and make alot of dense accusations about pollution?
maybe ibm should stick to something they know how to do, i very much doubt any games they make will be immersive and of reasonable quality.

 

dude Captain Planet Ruled OK!? Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Heart! GO PLANET!

 

lmfao w00t!
sadly, i can honestly say i had the theme tune as a ringtone lol!
haha they'd ov been better off (ibm) making a captain planet stylee cartoon for the kiddies to wawtch.

 

Torque is a great engine, the latist version really is stunning for its abilitys.

unlike any other game engine torque maps can be as large as you want to make them, you can creat whole planets infact.

torque started as "darkstar" an engine made by dynamix a company that use to be neer here, they made ALOT of VERY good games, but sierra shut them down because the are a bunch of wankers(vivindi sucks!!!)

duno how this games gonna really look, no my thing, but hey anything that uses/promotes torque is in my eyes a good thing, those buys over at gradge games deserve the publicity