Green Daily

Professor Byron Reeves of Stanford University has some interesting ideas about how to get people "going green" in a virtual world. He believes that if "green" actions were incorporated into game mechanics so that they were necessary to progress and gain points and standing on a leaderboard, the behavior would carry over into one's life.

He pitched his idea to the radio show Living on Earth, pointing out that the system would be competitive and that the "goal here is to align entertainment and fun with utility and community value."

I can see this easily being implemented into a game like Sims 2, where everyday actions are simulated. While you can choose to be more environmentally conscious, turning it into a theme with a focus would definitely appeal to people. After all, if they are willing to buy the expansion pack, Apartment Life, just to simulate living in an apartment, then "green" living can't be far behind.

Nintendo would also be a promising choice for design and development. Not only does the Wii appeal to everyone, they have already had success designing games that teach new languages, encourage fitness, and keep your brain sharp.