The Games We Play

By Dharmang and Tanvi

Pump It is a 3D digital racing game focusing on the problems related to the distribution and transportation of water within an urban environment. There are three main goals of the game – 1. To create an enjoyable/fun gaming interface 2. while learning how to make quick decisions and learn management skills which will help the development of your city 3. to be aware about the possible prolblems that could occur while transporting water.

The aim of the game is to transport water from the Water Tank, owned by the private provider of water in PUMP NATION, to the various citizens of the city within a stipulated time limit. The tanker driver (the player) begins with 1000 gallons of water credit and a tanker named ‘Ghatotkach.’

The citizens have multiple uses of water – eg. residents want drinking water, farmers want agricultural water, factory owners want it for their machines. At the start of each delivery, the tanker driver has to decide which citizen needs water most urgently. He then follows the route to his destination.

There are various obstacles on the way, such as oil spills, bumpy roads, tyre punctures, which can delay the delivery of water as well as cause water leakage. Eg. if the tanker goes on a bumpy road, 30% water leakage occurs.

Once the water is successfully delivered in enough quantity within the time limit, the tank owner receives water credits, eg 500 gallons. From this he can further deliver water to more citizens. Also, he can exchange these water credits to improve his tanker/truck – eg. improving mileage, increasing water capacity, etc. Also, he can improve his supply systems by buying GPRS machines, mobile phones, sms services, etc.

If any citizen group/region does not receive sufficient water, there is a possibility of drought in that region. This may lead to riots, protests and other forms of civil disobedience in that region, which will block roads, and hamper the players ability to transport water.

There are three perspectives from which the game can be viewed.

1. Map overview of Pump Nation: Here the player can see the various regions in his city and the water requirements within each of these regions. There will be a constant feedback mechanism telling him the percentage of water fulfillment.
2. Route overview: The route overview shows the player the route he must take to his destination, delineating all obstacles on the way.
3. The 3D racing environment: This is the ‘fun’ racing environment where the player must use his keyboard skill and dexterity and show his reflexes in maneovering between obstacles while racing.

The ultimate goal of this game is for the player to create an efficient water distribution/transportation system for Pump Nation while keeping all the citizens happy. The happier (water requirements met) the citizens are, the further Pump Nation will grow as city.

Urban development by controlling the flow.