Green cars are go in Alternator game

After the week it’s had with gamers, no wonder the ABC is happy for some good news….

Today it announced that a computer game Alternator is a recipient of its Serious Games Initiative and will receive $325,000 to go into full production immediately.

The game, a full-throttle car race in wild and whacky green-powered vehicles, was one of 52 proposals received by the Screen Australia /ABC-TV project, designed to support the production of a computer game with an educative message. Other applications included games on binge drinking, bushfire survival techniques, healthy living, science, education and the environment.

The publicity release notes: “Alternator is a world where the harsh impacts of encroaching climate change and the fossil fuel industry are met by a valiant green technology movement. Players invent new technologies to modify their cars before they power across a future Australian landscape on mission-based battles.”

The creative team includes game developer John Welsh from Sydac, multi-award-winning writer and director Bryan Moses (Double The Fist, Fly TV) and multi-platform producer, Dean Tuttle.

Head of ABC TV Arts and Entertainment, Amanda Duthie, said “As well as giving our audience a unique gaming experience, Alternator will raise awareness of this global challenge.

“We are really excited about moving into this territory and hope this initiative will spawn the next generation of digital program makers in the gaming world.”

The game has an anticipated release date of November 2010 and will be hosted by ABC online.