Brainergy, a new puzzler from BulkyPix, takes a familiar style of game and gives it an environmentalist slant. Developed by Pohlm Studio, the goal is to convert elements into energy sources to clean up and power the world.

The graphics are minimalist and the basic gameplay is simple. Just position things like solar panels over sunshine to convert it to energy. You can harness rain, wind, and more in increasingly complex arrangements as you try to find the best possible solution. The game is set on Earth, and takes players on a journey to 13 cities to battle the greenhouse effect.

Brainergy has six types of energy and 14 converters to help players solve the 50 included puzzles. The game explains how the various conversion processes work and offers other tidbits on point in much the same way that Fruit Ninja teaches fruit facts. In other words the environmental education is not part of the gameplay, but rather offered after the round where you can choose to read it or not.

Still it’s interesting to see a major game publisher putting out a title that focuses on something of greater social and intellectual merit than how to best kill zombies or make matches of three. If you try Brainergy, we’d love to know what you think in the comments.

$0.99

Brainergy

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-05-31 :: Category: Games

It was Earth Day this past Sunday, so what better time to check out the second in the Painting with Time app series: Climate Change. The app has 17 pre-set images of geographical regions that have been severely impacted by global warming. If one has any reservations about the veracity of Earth’s rising temperatures going in, toying with this app should lay them to rest.

Each image first appears as a tracing. Users then pick one of eight brushes or pre-cut segments, but instead of painting with tubes of color, we brush on the effects of time. The consequences are jaw dropping. The app uses high quality photographs of each locale from two time periods. Some are decades apart, others like the Mississippi River only a year. Users can uncover the overlapping views one at a time by filling in the canvas quickly with broad strokes to compare, or get creative and paint or break up the image artfully. Each photo comes with information on the region and the impact climate change is having there. There is even a multi-media presentation on the issue in general.

For those who don’t want to be lectured, and prefer to see evidence with their own eyes, Painting with Time: Climate Change  is perfect. For believers and even activists, it provides a useful teaching and display tool.

$1.99

Painting with Time: Climate Change

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-03-15 :: Category: Weather

The new Earthscan App offers a wide range of information about, and how to use, sustainable energy sources. Not just general ‘climate change’ information, this project is very much specifically for Sustainability and offers loads of resources on the topic. Earthscan was recognized as the best Independent Publisher of the Year, and has been offering detailed and educational information on climate change and sustainability for 20 years.

One of the top features this app boasts of is its ‘Earthcasts,’ which are interactive and live web seminars and lectures. They are hosted by acclaimed industry professionals and offer insight and education into the issues of Sustainable resources and global climate change. Of course, you’ll get Earthscan’s News Feed directly in the app; also included are Facebook and Twitter feeds to keep you up to date minute-by-minute.

Another resource within the app is a section called “Blogging for a Sustainable Future,” which includes a host of posts and articles by a diverse community of bloggers who write about all topics of Sustainability, Resources, environmental technology and education.

Lastly, you can plan your own schedule around environmental events, there’s a full calendar listing of conferences, lectures, seminars and book launches which you can schedule into your Sustainability Events Diary within the App. You’ll probably find that there are quite a few more events happening nationwide than you expect, if you’re in the field or visit these lectures, conferences and seminars often, this could be invaluable to you.

Overall, this is a comprehensive app that takes an educational and organized approach to this ongoing issue. If you’re already familiar with Earthscan’s website and publications, than you’ll definitely want to pick up this app. If you’re simply interested in learning more about our world, and details on the future of Sustainability and new technologies, you should definitely pick this up. Since it’s free, there’s no reason not to check it out!