Sick of feeling powerless in the face of climate doom and gloom? Try a climate-themed board game: The USD 11 bn board game and puzzle industry has started producing a new genre of climate-themed games, to meet the growing desire by the general public to engage on climate change — while keeping disaster fatigue to a minimum, the Guardian reports. High-profile climate-themed games to emerge recently include Daybreak — co-created by Pandemic designer Matt Leacock — which will see four players (representing the US, China, Europe and the “Majority World”) cooperate to reach net-zero. Other recent releases include Kyoto, where players operate as climate negotiators; Renature, which focuses on restoring a polluted valley; and Tipping Point, where players have to adapt cities to a warming climate.

MENA is producing its own game: UAE publishing company Cation Arts is developing its own game, One Earth, with Emirati clean energy firm Masdar partnering on content, Masdar revealed last year. One Earth will see players compete to build projects, set policies and develop technology to boost their nation’s prosperity — but the rising emissions that accompany these activities threaten all players, Cation Arts founder Mohamed Al Qadi explains. If emissions reach a certain level, everyone loses. “So this is exactly like real life,” Al Qadi adds. You can give the game a try on its Tabletop Simulator, support its crowdfunding campaign, or check in for updates on its release date.

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