The opening Arctic has already started influencing discussions among industrial, governmental and non-governmental policy leaders. Countries, both circumpolar and not, have begun taking steps to assert a presence or bolster claims in the region.

But what would happen if in 2030, Arctic stakeholders have gotten tired of talking and instead decide to settle disputes the old-fashioned way, by shooting at each other for a while?

That's the premise of a new PC video game to be released in spring 2012, by Paradox Interactive and Turbo Tape Games, a Norwegian game developer.

"Naval War: Arctic Circle" is a real-time strategy game set across the entire circumpolar Arctic, an environment amounting to millions of square miles. Players make strategic and tactical decisions to control the fictional naval and air forces of a major faction, either "NATO, the Nordic Alliance, Russia or the United States," in a futuristic dispute over territory and resources.

Arctic policy watchers may be forgiven for thinking the United States faction could be the biggest underdog in the game because in reality, it has not yet taken steps as significant as other stakeholder countries have to exert a physical Arctic presence.

CBC News reports that real-life warships have been used, including the Canadian frigate HMCS Halifax, and that middle schoolers in Iqaluit, Nunavut, have already enjoyed playing the game that takes place in waters familiar to them.

A game teaser has been released, and it shows news headlines tracking the escalation of tensions before open war breaks out. But the most telling early glimpse of the new game comes in the video diary below, which features developers highlighting their goals with the game.

"The year is 2030," a dramatic voice opens. "The Arctic is now the most strategically important area in the world. Everyone wants access to the vast resources of gas, oil, and minerals. The war for dominance has begun. Choose sides, and rule the world."