“Global” and “Warming” are two of the western world’s two biggest buzzwords at the moment, something Majesco Entertainment is tagging onto in Eco Creatures: Save the Forest, a Nintendo DS title that the firm has announced today.

The real-time strategy game aims to promote awareness of environmental issues while tasking players to defend the Mana Woods against them. Players use the touch screen to control units of woodland creatures - Ecolis, Ecoby and Ecomon - that will naturally protect the forest and recover polluted land. Each creature has unique skills that need to be managed, while they will also evolve during the course of 40 environmental missions. As players grow their woodland army, they must also plant new trees to prevent deforestation and revitalise the woodlands.

Eco Creatures also features a mode entitled Land Make in which players can build their own maps, as well as offering simultaneous gameplay for up to 4 players over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Network.

“Eco Creatures is distinctive in its ability to weave meaningful issues into a fun video game experience that makes the player a champion for the environment,” said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing, Majesco. “Noble mission aside, endearing creatures, resource management, magic, level creation and multiplayer features make Eco Creatures a deep and engaging real- time strategy game for any DS player.”

Rumours that gamers will be able to virtually chain themselves to trees as the diggers move on in or defy warnings by chugging around in gas guzzling SUVs are unsubstantiated.

Eco Creatures: Save the Forest is currently scheduled for an early 2008 release.