eHUB cities - Blackout

In eHUB cities – Blackout, you take on the roles of Jan and Angela, who are each confronted with a large-scale power outage. Fortunately, your home is an eHUB: a smart, self-sufficient building that serves as an energy hub for the neighborhood in times of crisis.Keep an eye on your power consumption while you cook, heat your home, or charge your devices. But beware—the eHUB's resources are limited, and your neighbors want their fair share. Or will you deny them?Will you overcome the crisis?Make impactful decisions, manage limited energy resources, and navigate interpersonal dilemmas. Your actions affect not only your personal goals, but your relationships, health, and the well-being of those around you. Will you make it through the blackout — and who will you become along the way?

Two characters. Two blackouts. Countless stories.

Immerse yourself in the lives of two unique characters, each facing a different crisis and personal challenges. Only one thing reoccurs: the blackout.Level 1: Jan – The Desperate EntrepreneurYou have one last chance to save your company, but you have hardly any time left to prepare the perfect presentation. Then a snowstorm hits and cuts the power. Your eHUB's resources are almost depleted. Now, you must decide: will you help your neighbors, or is your own future more important?Level 2: Angela – The Suspicious HackerFor no apparent reason, the power grid fails. Seconds before the power outage, the lights in your eHUB flicker briefly. Coincidence – or is there more to it? You have to get to the bottom of it. If only your wife Kathrin weren't so determined to involve you in her own problems.

Every decision counts

Shape your own story by making decisions in interactive environments and in-depth conversations. Every choice matters – for your well-being and that of others.Smart Home SimulationControl your home and your actions. Monitor electricity, food, water, and temperature. Just like in real life, your environment affects your well-being. The same goes for your neighbors when it comes to sharing power or using too much.Social InteractionsInteract with your loved ones, talk to your neighbors face to face, or send them messages via a local device-to-device network. Just don’t expect instant delivery or replies.Potential for ConflictTime is short. Electricity is limited. Can you meet your character's needs, or will you be overwhelmed by the crisis?Explorative GameplaySome interactions are practical, others deeply emotional. What will your actions ultimately reveal about you?Non-linear ReplaysVarious paths, interactions, and consequences await you. Your decisions lead the way!

Unlock Insights into Science

100% free and publicly funded.eHUB cities – Blackout is developed by Andarion Games on behalf of emergenCITY, an interdisciplinary research center supported by TU Darmstadt, the University of Kassel, and Philipps University of Marburg, and funded by the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art. The scientific management and conceptual development are provided by emergenCITY. Annemarie Mattmann is responsible for text and story development. The design and brand are developed by Lea Holaus. The soundtrack is composed by Josia Meyer. Katja Straub voices the scientific background texts and Bernd Thurig is responsible for processing the voice recordings.The game is 100% freely accessible, free of charge, and comes without advertising, paywalls, or microtransactions. Experience how emergenCITY is working on the digital resilience of cities – so that people remain connected, safe, and capable of acting even during a crisis.