PSP World

5 More Government Agencies that Should Create Video Games

Following on the success of Nasa's Moonbase Alpha, a free downloadable game that allows players to save a fictional human colony on the moon, we wonder if other, less popular government agencies might want to get in on the action. The NASA game was created by developer Virtual Heroes, who were also responsible for the "America's Army" recruiting tool. Video games like Moonbase Alpha are seen as an effective way to get propaganda the message out to younger, typically disengaged voters. NASA hopes that the next time funding cuts come up on the ballot, somebody, somewhere will have played Moonbase Alpha and say, "hold on a second, 15 billion USD for a mission to the moon doesn't sound so bad". So, with that in mind, here are five agencies that might want to consider giving video games a try.

Department of Energy -- playing as a DoE bureaucrat doesn't sound very exciting until one realizes that the DoE controls every nuclear reactor in the United States, and is responsible for springing into action in the event of a catastrophic melt down. Called "Catastrophic Meltdown", this new game puts players in the hot seat -- quite literally -- as they try to minimize the fallout (pun intended) from a nuclear accident near a populated urban area. Bonus "Mutant Apocalypse" downloadable content pack extends gameplay nearly indefinitely.

Customs and Border Patrol -- A game where all of the action comes to you. Sitting behind 3/4 inch bulletproof perspex glass at an airport checkpoint, you are the last line of national defense. Learn the ropes busting pill-popping grannies and work your way up to spotting illegal Russian nannies. Bonus points every time you intercept an endangered species smuggler with tree snakes taped to the inside of his trouser leg.

FEMA -- If ever there was a government agency in need of a public relations lift, this is it. After famously mishandling its coordinated response to Hurricane Katrina, FEMA is hungry for a chance to demonstrate its competence. What the video game world needs then, is a hurricane-tsunami-tornado mega-disaster, providing ample opportunity for players to prove their mettle as urban riot control experts. Centered on the devastated ruins of a fictional US city, the player will need to rebuild from ruins, while fighting off roving bands of criminals and conspiracy theorists who refuse to be sent to relocation camps.

United States Coast Guard -- It is strange that in an entertainment industry with a fascination for crime and action that this agency hasn't received more attention. Now the brave but under-recognized members of the US coast guard will get their chance to shine. The USCG spends a lot of its time defending America's shores from drug smugglers in go-fast boats, mini-submarines and small aircraft, so a video game doesn't need to stretch the truth very far in order to provide plenty of thrills.

Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Bureau --This video game would practically write itself, but we've got some ideas nonetheless. One of the major weapons of the federal government against criminal gangs, ATF agents are a bit like the Wyatt Earp of modern times. Knowing that their targets are heavily armed and most likely amped up on controlled substances doesn't make the job any easier. For example, this past month the ATF arrested 31 individuals believed to be members and associates of the "819 Boyz," a street gang operating in the area of Daytona Beach, Fla. The investigation included about a 100 undercover transactions that yielded the purchase of 78 firearms, approximately one kilogram of crack cocaine, more than 400 controlled narcotic pills, and body armor. the makers of Grand Theft Auto may want to take note.