Green Daily

Gaming has begun to reach out to all age groups with themes and concepts that are very different from what most people picture when they hear you are a gamer. When I describe some of the games I play to older adults, I'm often met with surprise and sincere interest.

Venture Arctic is one of those games. I had the pleasure of demoing it this afternoon.

Once you enter, you'll realize that only you can harness the forces of wind, earth, sun and water. Cruise around the terrain and explore and design as you please!

Of course, there is a catch, and it's a hefty one. You are the one responsible for the ecosystem, for the survival of the many different species in this arctic landscape. Not everyone has what it takes.

This might sound easy, but it's actually quite complex. From plankton to fish, orca, polar bears, arctic hare, and more, this harsh environment is precariously balanced, and even minor changes in weather can severely affect the wildlife.

You will experience first-hand the havoc that climate change can wreak on an ecosystem, and you'll struggle to balance the situation. Should a species become extinct, you will witness the drastic effects on the entire food chain.

Of course, if you've been doing your job correctly, you'll be able to create and unlock new species, and reincarnate what has become extinct.

Make sure there is enough food for all of the animals, remember to impregnate them, and try not to cry when a season lasts too long or cuts off early, and your work cannot be done. There will be consequences.

By collecting the spirits of departed animals, you can use this power to help other animals survive. Actually, Native American lore is an underlying theme, even in a game where there are no humans.

By blowing the scent of a dead animal towards a starving one, you are helping to save a life, and ensure that no death is in vain.

At other points, you will have to steel your emotions, and blanket the landscape in ice and snow in order to weed out the weaker members of a species and allow the strong to thrive. Sometimes, you'll need to make animals sick, and only the healthier ones will come through it.

This game is made by Pocketwatch Games, a company that hand-designs games pertaining to animals and the environment. Says Andy Schatz, founder, "you'll be surprised at how thought-provoking and entertaining a video game can be!"