Artistic Statement / Use of Theme
What World? is an interactive climate sandbox that examines how collective belief—formed through information or misinformation—can drive the fate of our planet. Through subtle interventions, players nudge a simulated world toward prosperity or collapse, watching as NPCs respond to fires, floods, and headlines in a systemically reactive ecosystem. The game invites reflection on the power of human consensus: how inaction, misaction, or unified effort can either accelerate destruction or nurture resilience.
Rooted in the Climate Jam theme, What World? explores human-induced global warming and the societal feedback loops surrounding it, particularly the spread of misinformation and erosion of trust. Rather than assigning players direct control, the design emphasizes indirect influence, highlighting the complexity of climate systems and the consequences of seemingly small decisions. The project draws direct inspiration from We Become What We Behold, adopting its minimal player agency and cause-and-effect structure to reveal how small actions can escalate into large-scale consequences. Combined with simulation tools and speculative futures, What World? asks not only what the world is—but what it could become, depending on what we choose to believe and act upon.

Development Summary
Our team began with a flood of ambitious ideas during the initial brainstorming—excited by the potential of creating a reactive climate sandbox that reflects the complexity of misinformation and collective behavior. However, we quickly realized the sheer scope of building a systemic sandbox game, especially under a jam timeline. With five team members and half of us working from different time zones, much of the development had to happen asynchronously, which added additional coordination challenges.
One of the hardest parts was letting go of features we were deeply excited about, like dynamic glaciers that melt over time, or a radio tower system enabling NPCs to spread messages and misinformation across regions. We also envisioned more emergent behaviors—like violence, protest, or panic—to emphasize humanity’s emotional response to climate crisis. Ultimately, we focused on building a solid foundation of interaction and reactivity, and even with cut features, we were able to create a system that sparks curiosity, reflection, and replayability.

Release Plan
We plan to release What World? on Itch.io as a playable prototype that captures the core mechanics and message of our concept. While the current version is a contained experience built within the constraints of the jam, it serves as a strong foundation for further development.
We’re considering continuing work on the project when the semester begins at USC, expanding its systems, depth, and narrative. Future additions could include dynamic biomes, NPC-to-NPC interactions, and more emergent behaviors like social unrest or grassroots climate movements. These enhancements would allow for richer world reactions and deeper player experimentation, ultimately strengthening the game’s impact and replayability.

Topic Tags
Deforestation, Extreme Heat, Wildfires, Hurricanes