In Extremis (2024)

Overview

Welcome to our lab! For decades now, we the scientists of Giete (Groupement Intergouvernemental d'Experts sur la Transition Énergétique), have been feeding the world governments with data on an environmental situation that has only gotten worse.

Faced with constant inaction from our heads of state and major corporations, and despite the urgency of the situation, we have allocated part of our meagre budget to the development of artificial intelligence (A.I.).

Like a digital hummingbird, this A.I. will gather the results of experiments carried out by volunteers, feeding the algorism with their trials, their behaviors and their initiatives. Little by little, it will experiment with them different social and political systems, each of which may be able to provide part of the solution. And finally, your participation will provide data on the urgent decisions that need to be made.

Each of the 16 Experiments will lead you to use the resources available in a given area to meet the population's energy needs, within a limited timeframe and under a defined system.

Happy experimenting! A game full of Science!

The game also comes with a 68-page book ("Avant d'éteindre la lumière…") which is not a manual on energy transition, but rather a companion document to the game. Written by energy expert Pascal Lenormand, it explains why the A.I. asks players to perform abstract actions, and draws parallels with the real-life systems behind them.

Cooperative and evolutionary! Cooperative: you'll win or lose together. Either way, you're going to gain a special human moment! Evolutive: depending on the experiments you play, you'll need to adapt the rules and the cards you use. Be prepared: this is a game where you'll need to learn, unlearn and relearn a lot!

Your goal Each Experience consists of 3 rounds. Round 3 features an optimized test with a special rule. To win a game, you need to win all 3 rounds.

If you win all 16 experiments... something will happen. On the other hand, you lose immediately at the end of a round if you fail to meet a population's energy needs or pollute more than is sustainable.

Note: The game requires a free application to be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, an internet connection is not required for gameplay.