Turan Game
The environment is not a game
Description
Turan is an innovative car runner game developed on Unity, distinguished by its integrated use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create a gaming experience that is not only entertaining but also educational. The game was designed with the primary objective of raising awareness among users about one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change.
The Game Structure Turan initially presents itself as a classic car runner game, where the user controls a vehicle racing along a road filled with obstacles, turns, and surprises. However, unlike traditional games of the same genre, Turan introduces an innovative element: artificial intelligence is used not only to enrich the gameplay but also to shape the experience in a way that conveys a deeper message. Throughout the game, the AI generates coins and various objects that the player is led to collect or avoid. These elements are strategically placed to attract and distract the user, prompting them to perform actions often unconsciously.
The Metaphor of Unconscious Behaviour The compulsive collection of coins and objects in the game serves as a metaphor for the unconscious behaviour of people in the real world, particularly in contexts such as fast fashion consumption and the purchase of electronic devices. These sectors are notoriously associated with unsustainable practices that significantly contribute to global pollution and climate change. Just as the Turan player may be distracted by collecting objects without thinking about the consequences, so too in real life people often purchase products without considering the environmental impact of their choices.
Education Through the Gaming Experience The educational aspect of Turan emerges progressively as the user advances through the game. The artificial intelligence not only creates challenges and rewards but also provides, at the end of each level, reflections and information on the topic of climate change. These moments of pause are designed to make the player reflect on their actions, both in the context of the game and in real life.
The Impact of Pollution: Tangible Examples and Comparisons Another key aspect of Turan is the use of tangible examples and comparisons to illustrate the severity of pollution and climate change. During the game, the player may encounter situations or scenarios that allegorically represent the consequences of pollution. For example, there could be levels where the road is shrouded in thick smog, or where the player’s vehicle must navigate through desertified or flooded landscapes, thereby representing the effects of global warming.
These scenarios are not merely aesthetic but are accompanied by information explaining how such phenomena are linked to human activities, such as excessive consumption and industrial production. In this way, the game manages to connect the player’s actions to reality, making the impact of pollution more understandable and tangible.
The Role of the Little Bot Turan At the end of each gaming session, the small bot, who lends its name to the game itself, makes its appearance: Turan. This character represents artificial intelligences and serves as a guide for the player, revealing the true meaning of the game. Turan is not just a simple bot but a narrator who connects the experiences lived in the game to real-world problems. With a calm yet authoritative voice, Turan explains how the actions taken in the game reflect human behaviours in the real world and how these contribute to climate change.
Turan also offers suggestions on how each individual can do their part to reduce environmental impact. These suggestions are simple and actionable, such as reducing plastic use, choosing sustainable fashion products, or opting for electronic devices with a longer lifecycle. The bot does not merely give moral lessons but seeks to establish a dialogue with the player, encouraging reflection and more conscious action.
An Invitation to Awareness Ultimately, Turan is not just a game but a true tool for education and awareness. Through the use of artificial intelligence, the game manages to actively engage the user, using fun and competition to convey an important message. The distraction created by coins and objects during the game serves to make us reflect on the daily distractions that keep us from being aware of the consequences of our actions.
The little bot Turan represents the collective consciousness awakening, guiding players towards greater awareness and responsibility. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, it is essential that even games, one of the most influential media of our time, are used to educate and promote change.
Turan invites all of us to look beyond the immediate, to reflect on our choices, and to become aware of their impact on the planet. It is a game that, while entertaining, aims to change the way we see the world and our role in it.
