Pipe Trouble

This game takes the basic gameplay mechanism of Pipe Mania and tweaks it, superimposed on a context of controversial natural gas pipelines in northern Alberta, Canada, providing thermal energy for tar sands processing. Players are still charged with connecting a start and end point on a tiled map with pipe sections of various shapes before their fluid contents flow and spill, but here they are torn between two competing drives, first to appease the boss by plotting an efficient route and second to placate the rural populace by causing minimal interference with their crops, structures and livestock.

As in real life, the centre cannot hold, and the balance is difficult to maintain. Pipeline interference with resident activity draws protesters and steep government fines, and if their goodwill is not catered to, eco-terrorists will follow in the footsteps of Wiebo Ludwig and undertake violent direct action against your pipes.