Introducing the U.S. Navy’s new mobile game: Pier Pressure!

Do you have what it takes to fulfill your Navy mission? Prove it and watch as you move up the ranks. But don’t let a night out with friends get you sidetracked. Will you earn rank… or a reputation?

Pier Pressure is a multi-part app featuring a role-playing game true to the “Navy experience.” The game is coupled with resources to help Sailors practice responsible drinking behaviors in real life, including a blood alcohol content (BAC) calculator and local taxi cab search.

You begin the game by selecting and customizing a Sailor avatar. The overall gameplay follows the pattern of a natural “day” where you’ll go to work and then go out to a bar with friends, making choices along the way.

While “at work” you will play a mini-game based on the “tower defense” game genre, in which you must load crates onto Navy ships and carriers at the pier in time for them to leave port fully-stocked.

After work, you will make decisions about “going out” for the evening. These choices include whether and/or how much you want to drink and if you plan on eating a meal before going out.

The “going out” portion of the game is set in a bar scene where you play a variation of shuffleboard (a.k.a. shufflepuck). While playing, you will be presented with “power-up” opportunities, either by choosing to drink more than you had previously intended or by alternating your alcoholic drinks with water.

But be forewarned: choices made at the bar will affect your skill level at work the next day, which in turn affects your character’s evaluation reports. Smart drinking choices will result in achieving the next rank, while poor choices and performance at work will result in separation from the Navy (a.k.a. game over).

The app features leaderboards enabling you to compete with your friends and shipmates. By making responsible drinking choices, you will advance through the game and raise your score on the leaderboard, while irresponsible choices will get you nowhere fast.

And don’t forget to check out the Tools section of the app to find resources to help you drink responsibly in real life. The BAC calculator can help you monitor your body’s alcohol level, and the local taxi cab search can help you find a safe ride home.

[Disclaimer about Blood Alcohol Content Calculator]
The formula used in this mobile application incorporates a BAC calculation procedure provided to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration courtesy of Herbert Moskowitz, Ph.D., a noted alcohol researcher. It should be understood that what this provides is a rough estimate based on average values and is not 100% accurate. This BAC estimate should not be used by individuals to decide whether or not to drive after drinking -- impairment can result from any amount of alcohol. However, it does provide the best available approximation of the number of drinks it takes for individuals to reach specific BACs. The best policy is don't drink and drive. Period. For more information, visit http://www.nhtsa.gov.