Concordia researcher Bart Simon develops a solar-powered Minecraft game

A groundbreaking video game developed by Bart Simon, director of Concordia’s Milieux Institute, is transforming the way players think about energy and the environment.

The solar-powered game server called SunBlock One  uses the popular video game Minecraft as a platform to explore themes of sustainable energy and environmental responsibility. The multiplayer game that Simon and his research team have developed using their server is called Gaia’s Riddle.

Gaia’s Riddle  integrates actual solar power into the gameplay. It challenges players to factor the server computer’s energy use into their decisions for how to play the game while  exploring a virtual world and narrative that reflects real-world issues such as the global energy transition and climate change.

Gaia’s Riddle is more than just a game, it is a tool for education, helping players understand the complexities of renewable energy sources and the importance of sustainable practices.

“By connecting Minecraft with solar energy, we’re creating a space where players can learn about the energy transition in a playful, interactive way,” says Simon. “It’s about making energy systems visible and understandable through hands-on experience.”

‘The goal is to inspire change’

The  game is based on a custom  modpack , which uses existing well known community-made mods like Mekanism with its range of in-game energy systems (from wind, to solar, to fusion power) alongside mods developed by the project team like a solar-powered sword, an in-game HUD for displaying energy data and even a little button players can use to change the power mode settings on the server.

This strategy of developing free, accessible and integratable mods for the existing player community, which numbers in the millions around the world, means that anyone can access the game, expand on it and adapt it.

Additionally, the project team has instructions for how to build a solar server with the necessary custom code available for download. Imagine, thousands of solar Minecraft servers around the world.

Simon’s work is part of a broader initiative by the Milieux Institute's Technoculture, Art and Games (TAG) research centre to use video games and digital platforms to engage people in critical conversations about sustainability. With Gaia’s Riddle, Simon aims to spark curiosity and open minds to the potential of renewable energy.

Simon’s innovative approach combines technology, play and learning in a way that’s both fun and educational.

“Ultimately, the goal is to inspire change,” Simon adds. “We want players to not just learn about energy systems, but to feel empowered to take action in their own lives and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

Play Gaia’s Riddle from Concordia’s Milieux Institute today.