"The Greatest Story of our Time" - PIK@Gamescom 2020

In his talk titled “The Greatest Story of our Times”, Levermann explained the physics behind climate change and pointed out several recent climate phenomena that could inspire interactive story telling: the tipping of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, increasing heat waves in Europe, extreme snowfall on the US east coast, or droughts in Syria that have contributed to the ongoing conflict in the region – as well as the global economic repercussions simultaneously occurring weather events could generate.

“No matter, if we really meet the challenge and adhere to the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, or whether we won't do anything at all and face an intensification of weather extremes – climate change will be - and already is - the greatest story of our time,” Levermann pointed out in his talk. How game developers will ultimately come up with innovative plots and gameplay mechanics is up to them – but Levermann made a compelling case that climate matters have the potential to engage millions of players around the world.