Logging yields seeds that can be used to re-plant trees. The negative effects of progress can be combated somewhat. It’s with this delicate balance in mind that players set forth building a civilization with one another, using the natural resources of the planet to advance both individually and collectively. All of these implications can be tracked with charts and graphs made available via a web service that runs on the same server as the game world. Even trampling around or leaving logging debris lying on the ground can change the presentation of the environment. Over-hunting a certain species can have ripple effects on other animals and biomes throughout the planet. Chopping down trees and building factories increase CO2 and cause the sea level to rise. This influence is still clearly seen within Eco, as the environment is the key component around which all other systems revolve. In fact, for a time developer Strange Loop partnered with the University of Illinois for prototyping, project direction, and ecosystem design. And while it’s not exactly a traditional MMORPG, it does allow for the use of small-to-mid-size private servers (like Minecraft) with a one-time purchase price.Įco was originally envisioned as a tool to teach kids about the impact human actions have on the environment. Oh, and did I mention the world you’re creating will be struck by a meteor? Unless you progress to the point that you can counteract it and don’t destroy the environment in the process, of course. It’s a survival game, but you need to work together with other players to do so. So what is it, exactly? It’s a building game. And it’s still pushing ahead today as an early-access title on Steam. I’ve been trying to come up with a better description ever since.Ī little backstory: In 2015, Eco doubled its Kickstarter goal of $100,000, and while this sum is a far cry from the totals raised by more famous personalities, it was enough to get the project going. My initial impression of the game was that it’s Minecraft on steroids, but after more playtime, I feel that term doesn’t do justice to this little-known gem. The game was recently the subject of a Whatever Happened To entry on this very site, an article that coincidently went live the same day I purchased and started playing the game with an established online community. The profit I make goes into buying food for myself as well as to improving my workshop/house In the city.I’ve been struggling to come up with a succinct way to describe Eco. I buy wood logs from other players, then craft them into items to sell back. So far I have established myself in a local town as a carpenter. This game satisfies every capitalists dream! There’s mechanics in place to allow for a working economy, trading and even governments! You can tax rent, buy and sell hunting rights. So in a nutshell, Eco is a very drawn out survival game relying on committed players to achieve the goal of preventing the impending asteroid disaster.ĭue to the fact that every task is time consuming (resource gathering, building etc) you need to build a functioning society with the other players to get things done. I must say, I’m quite impressed but I can appreciate that others might not share my opinion. So I ended up buying a copy of Eco and gave it a run last night. Nothing was scratching the itch I had (not even Ylands! ). As I was at there flicking through my Steam Library I felt nothing but a giant ‘Meh’. So, my impatience got the better of me last night.
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