Help Smiley survive, and gain automation knowledge in new game

Smiley is a survivor. Even though he’s shipwrecked on a desert island, he has all the tools he needs to survive. But he’s going to need some help. Smiley is the lead character in a new online game sponsored by AutomationDirect that debuts on the PLANT ENGINEERING Website this month at www.

By Staff August 1, 2006

Smiley is a survivor. Even though he’s shipwrecked on a desert island, he has all the tools he needs to survive. But he’s going to need some help.

Smiley is the lead character in a new online game sponsored by AutomationDirect that debuts on the PLANT ENGINEERING Website this month at www.plantengineering.com .

“We think Automation Survivor is a great way to both educate and engage people interested in learning more about automation technology,” said PLANT ENGINEERING publisher Jim Langhenry. “Whenever we bring our content together with our readers in an engaging way, they respond. That’s been the case with our award-winning magazine and our series of Webcasts, and we’re excited about this new venture with AutomationDirect.”

“We wanted more than your basic Web presentation on automation challenges,” said Joan Welty of Atlanta-based AutomationDirect. “We felt that involving PLANT ENGINEERING ’s readers in a different way could be both informative and fun, and we think Smiley is just the right guy to accomplish both goals.”

In the game, Smiley must conquer several challenges on the island with the help of game players, and he must put all the pieces together in order to automate the island and make it a comfortable place. He’ll dodge incoming coconuts from monkeys and balance on boulders, among other challenges. Each step along the way, game players will gain knowledge and answer questions to help Smiley finish automating the island.