[BeaverFever]

This simple web game Pipe Trouble challenges you to build a pipeline on time and on budget without spilling gas or aggravating protesters on increasingly difficult boards.

TVO posted a free link to the game as part of an educational piece on the current pipeline debate.

Although the game does not have a political message, Professional fun-ruiners and corporate puppets in the Alberta government objected to TVO hosting the game because one possible consequence of failure in the game is a protester bombing the pipe. TVO promised to take down the link.

"It's disappointing to see a taxpayer-funded game and organization depict the blowing up of pipelines," said Alberta Premier Alison Redford."

Get a grip losers, its just a game. She must be laying the groundwork for that lucrative "consulting" job she'll land in the oilsands after she's tossed out of office.

Link:
http://pipetrouble.com/

[saturn_656]

This is the third gripe I've heard about video games from public officials in a month.

Give it up, and get back to work.

[BeaverFever]

What's to gripe about? It's addicting. And its fun. And no, it's not anti-oil or whatever it is you're thinking.

[Freakinoldguy]

BeaverFever BeaverFever:

"It's disappointing to see a taxpayer-funded game and organization depict the blowing up of pipelines," said Alberta Premier Alison Redford."

Get a grip losers, its just a game.

Link:
http://pipetrouble.com/

You're right it's just a game, much like the one that uses the Port Moody High School as a backdrop for shooting bad guys, good guys and collateral damage types. If the people who are complaining ever took a look around at what games are out there they'd be horrified with the gratuitous violence, sex and civil disobedience that their children are seeing and worst case scenario emulating.

The only difference between this game and those others is the taxpayer part but hey if it keeps a game developer afloat so be it. This game is definitely going to a niche market and will likely be forgotten by the mainstream in couple of weeks.

Besides, with piss poor graphics and a lack of large amounts of blood splattering no self respecting illegal underage user is ever gonna play it more than once but as a plus, it may prove beneficial in keeping the Ludwig's extended family occupied.

[Public_Domain]

[Tricks]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

illegal underage user

What does that mean?

[matwilson]

What do you expect from delusional politicians?

[Public_Domain]

[martin14]

I like the 4th one in the trial, ram the pipe straight thru the forest, and to hell
with the protestors !

[BeaverFever]

Damn the protesters and the budget, some of those boards are too hard to do regardless of who you're trying to please. I think I got to level 6 or 7 last night before it got hard enough that I had to question whether my time is being spent wisely.

[BeaverFever]

Public_Domain Public_Domain:

I would say the game does have a political message,; environmentalism. Little "sound bites" in between levels gives an attitude of a very opinionated game. And, well... The little anarchist dudes are definitely political

Fucking anarchists! So what if I spilt oil in a grain field?

Lots of the sounds bites (probably more) are pro pipeline though, they talk bout creating jobs, making money, benefits to aboriginal communities, etc. I think overall the message is neutral.

[Jonny_C]

$1:

Produced by Pop Sandbox
in collaboration with Six Island Films & TVO
with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation
& the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund

The game may have its positives, but I think the inclusion of pipeline bombings is rather a stupid move, and one from which the sponsors may want to dissociate themselves.

---

Sounds pretty political to me...

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/03/22/tv ... eline-game

$1:

Taxpayer-funded TVOntario put $10,000 into Pipe Trouble and $80,000 into the related documentary, Trouble in the Peace, which highlights the battle of British Columbia farmer and father Karl Mattson with gas companies in Peace River.

TVO has defended the entire project as balanced and appropriate, and well within its mandate of engaging people in important issues of the day.

Sandals said she wants TVO to explain how this game fits in with the high-quality education standards it normally sets on its interactive web programming.

“Also, how do the financial arrangements fit in with the accountability rules for public sector spending?” Sandals said Friday.

Some of the proceeds of Pipe Trouble go to the David Suzuki Foundation at the request of the game’s creators, Pop Sandbox Productions.

The foundation’s website urges citizens to pressure the federal government to stop giving billions of dollars a year in tax breaks to companies producing oil and gas in Canada.

“Analysis shows a total of $1.4 billion per year in federal subsidies, $840 million of which are special tax breaks, with a disproportionate share going to dirty fuels such as the Alberta Tar Sands,” the site says.

And some proceeds to go to the Suzuki Foundation. That doesn't sound very "neutral" either.

[MeganC]

This topic made me lol because I grew up hearing people say 'lay pipe' as slang for having sex!

[Public_Domain]

[raydan]

MeganC MeganC:

This topic made me lol because I grew up hearing people say 'lay pipe' as slang for having sex!

I like the way you think.