What will our planet look like in the year 2100? A new online game called FutureGuessr is helping people imagine just that. Launched in June 2025, the free interactive game combines climate communication with visual storytelling, showing players futuristic images of places transformed by climate change and asking them to guess where they are.
Developed in partnership with Réseau Action Climat, the game takes inspiration from the popular geography challenge GeoGuessr. But instead of exploring the present world, FutureGuessr immerses players in visual projections of Earth’s future revealing how melting ice caps, rising seas, and extreme weather may reshape landscapes. Available in English and French, the game aims to make climate science personal and engaging.
Once a player makes a guess, the game reveals not just the location but also the local impacts of global warming, what could happen if no action is taken, and how mitigation efforts might change the outcome. Familiar places like Antarctica or Easter Island appear dramatically altered, highlighting the urgency of action.
Researchers see FutureGuessr as part of a growing movement using games to communicate climate science in creative, accessible ways. From board games like Daybreak where players collaborate to stop global warming to digital experiences such as Game Changers and The Flood Recovery Game, climate-themed games are being used to spark awareness, empathy, and dialogue.
Serious games are now being employed for policy and education too. Tools like the Climate Fresk workshop have already reached millions, connecting participants with the science behind the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and encouraging collective action.
However, creating such immersive visuals comes at a cost. The AI models that generate FutureGuessr’s futuristic images consume significant energy. Experts are urging the gaming and AI industries to adopt “frugal AI” principles minimising unnecessary energy use and measuring environmental impacts.
The Playing for the Planet Alliance, an industry initiative, has already introduced a carbon calculator to help game developers reduce their footprint and promote sustainable practices.
By visualising the future of familiar landscapes, FutureGuessr turns climate data into an emotional experience. It bridges science, art, and play making the consequences of global warming tangible while inspiring conversations about resilience and sustainability.
As the creators say, the goal isn’t just to play a game, but to “play for the planet.”