Video Games & Climate
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Provided by: Project Look Sharp|Published on: May 1, 2026
Activity - ClassroomScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this activity plan, students watch five short video game trailers, analyze them as media forms and marketing materials, and identify messages they contain about climate change and the future.
- The site includes the activity plan as well as supplemental tips and guides for classroom implementation.
Subjects: English Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Sox Sperry
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Preparation:
- To download the materials, teachers must first make an account with Project Look Sharp.
- Review video game trailers in advance, as they contain some mature and violent content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
- Read the "How to Use These Materials" guide in the supplemental materials for suggestions about how to incorporate the activity plan into a lesson.
- The authors suggest adapting the materials to your classroom's needs—the activity can be short and focused, a deeper dive lesson, or a unit launch.
Broken links:
- The link for the Terra Nil trailer is broken. Teachers can find the trailer on YouTube here or download it as an MP4 file directly from the website.
Extensions:
- To extend this activity into a lesson in a film/media class, teachers can ask students to create their own climate change-related game and develop a trailer.
- Alternatively, teachers can let students play one of the games as they make further observations. Note that some of these games must be purchased and played on specific platforms, such as Steam.
In this lesson, students will explore how climate change might impact the future by watching various video game trailers. These games all depict future scenarios in which players face the consequences of climate change mitigation, adaptation, or transformation. The lesson aims to encourage students to analyze the messages about climate conveyed by each game, identify the target audience, evaluate the effectiveness of the messaging, and understand the intentions behind these messages. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Project Look Sharp
Project Look Sharp is a nonprofit, mission-driven outreach program of Ithaca College. Their mission is to help K-16 educators enhance students' critical thinking, metacognition, and civic engagement through media literacy materials and professional development.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
