2 replies to this topic

[Lazarus Long]

Recently I suggested a solution involving game theory to address a specific challenge this site faces in terms of planning but I think the principle could be applied in a much larger context. Let me preface this by saying that I do not know how to program games but a former director and numerous members here do.

Here is a scenario to consider for a MMORPG: for now let's call it "The Challenge". (MMORPG = Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game)

Modeled on reality we create a quest for immortality or at least longevity. We include various roles of scientists, promoters (financiers and politicos) adversaries, and others, as well as obstacles like real life threats like crime, war and accidents and opportunities like funding sources, tech breakthroughs and convergent support groups (allies). Some hypothetical escapes like cryo (but you need another player to get you out, etc. I can come up with a number of other categories but I am curious to see how the idea in principal appeals to other members.

This game once developed would be commercially app'ed to smartphones, facebook etc and open to the general public with the proceeds shared by the developers and this organization. This would accomplish a multiple level objective by promoting our endeavor, generating revenue for larger programs to fund and even creating ideas for those developing technologies.

Real science should be modeled into the game as well as real politics. The social issues should be a part of the obstacles and technology should be adapted into the game as it becomes available. Creating funded groups and secret societies should be a part of the game as well as D&D terminologies. However roles should be available to those players who want to stop us and they become inadvertant supporters by buying the app.

Please follow this post with constructive suggestions and criticisms.

Note: The development team should keep a part of the potential revenue stream as an incentive to their endeavor as well as for ongoing support to the game needs. Other areas the revenue stream is divided up into include ongoing support and ISP space, continued game development, and this institute with the caveat that the majority of the revenue fund real science.

2nd note. I came upon this idea when trying to develop an "ideas contest" for developing experimental protocols that we could offer cash prizes for but entries would then be available for advanced students to use at school in an open source manner. Consider this "Crowd Sourced" solutions for longevity.

[Mind]

The key here would be to get the general population involved. Life extension advocates are typically already doing a lot of work (research, advocacy, etc...) and would not be too interested in gaming, IMO, that is unless the game was sophisticated enough to involve scientists, without distracting them. I think fold-it, and folding@home, are good templates to study and improve upon, before venturing into something larger in scope. If we could figure out the magic of getting more people into these "science-y" games, then we could apply those techniques to a newer game.

[Lazarus Long]

Well at least you are describing a first step model but I think there are others as well. The key is getting people to play first of all and play both sides of the problem. Make the enemies of longevity pay too. $1-$3 per player goes a long way to solving our problems when enough people play it. Now if we could get Duke to head up the operation.