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Videogame Helps Flood Defense Planning

Posted by simoniker on from the not-flood-planning dept.

Thanks to BBC News for its article discussing a videogame called 'FloodRanger' helping UK authorities work out strategies to cope with real-life flooding. According to the piece: "As in other virtual world games, like SimCity, players have God-like control, so social, economic and environmental decisions have knock-on effects", but this sim "was developed as part of the [UK Department of Trade and Industry]'s Foresight flood defence project." The official 'FloodRanger' page has more information on this also commercially released title, in which it's "...up to the player to decide where best to build appropriate sea or river flood defences, like dams, reservoirs or groynes, whilst keeping their public generally happy."

10 of 32 comments (clear)

  1. Waste of money by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I could design a better one, for local authorities. Cheaper, too. A windows pops up saying
    "You stupid twats, stop giving planning permission for flood plains"

    They click OK, problem solved

  2. hmm by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 4, Funny

    Can't decide on FloodRanger or this game for my next purchase.

    --
    "I only speak the truth"
    Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
  3. Oooh Boy! by Cosmik · · Score: 3, Funny

    I can't wait for the expansion, "Holland Hijinks". I hear you get to use the new units such as "young child sticking finger in dyke hole" to stop floods.

    I love it because the name of that unit makes me giggle like a little schoolgirl.

    1. Re:Oooh Boy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      I love it because the name of that unit makes me giggle like a little schoolgirl.

      Correction: you are a schoolgirl

  4. Oh Oh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Next thing you know they will have Super Street Fighter II Alpha Police Edition where cops practice 5 hit baton combos.

  5. Re:So whats the next sim? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well, going by EA's fervent desire to milk every single possible dollar out of WWII, I'm guessing "The Sims:Final Solution".

    NEW showers and lampshade furniture
    NEW interaction options-Obey Orders and Deny Responsibility
    NEW careers-Camp Guard, Insane History Denier and Guilt Trip Lobbyist

    EA:If it's in the war, it's in the game

  6. Your value meals at work by ArmorFiend · · Score: 4, Funny

    I work for the McDonalds Corporation Advanced Modelling and Simulations Department, where we constantly plan and game against foodstuff revolt by playing BurgerTime. It's been a great success, I'm proud to report we haven't lost a single team member to eggs or sausage in 2004.

    1. Re:Your value meals at work by paulcammish · · Score: 2, Funny
      ... we haven't lost a single team member to eggs or sausage in 2004

      Its only Febuary, and you fail to mention the pickle incident...

      All I will say, is that it was a sad day... a very sad day...

      Your memory will live on, Peter!

      *sobbing*

  7. PREPARE FOR SPLASH DAMAGE CAMPERS! by alan_dershowitz · · Score: 3, Funny

    Oh wait.

  8. Slashdot sim. by King_of_Prussia · · Score: 2, Funny

    Manage the hordes of slashbots intent on posting the latest variation of the Soviet Russia joke, tweak the ratings system to effectively hide omg ror, and above all, prevent those that live under bridges from taking over.

    --

    Making the moon less necessary since 1998.