Video games can save lives too

The United Nations released a video game yesterday called “Stop Disasters!” The goal of the game is to teach children how to respond to and deal with natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and bald pop stars. Apparently, the UN has given up on the current generation in power and are looking to the new generation to take up the mantle. Taking the “Knowing is half the battle” stance made famous by G.I. Joe, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (Department?) believes that by educating the youth today, they will be able to save our ignorant asses tomorrow.

“If we teach them about disaster risk reduction from an early age, they will understand why it is vital to build houses, schools and hospitals in safe locations, to have early warning systems in place and reduce disasters,” he added of the game, which features in colourful panels various levels of play in guarding against or mitigating the impact of an advancing wall of flames, waves and other hazards. Drought may soon be added to the menu.

Colorful panels guarding against the impact of advancing walls of flames? Count me in! Oh, and look at that: Drought is coming soon. I hope they include the “buy bottled water from Target” feature.

The game, produced by British company Playerthree, gives players missions in which they are given a specific time frame and budget to assemble an anti-disaster infrastructure before a simulated hurricane, earthquake, flood, tsunami or wildfire strikes. Does anyone else think Michael D. Brown and FEMA should have played this game a year and a half ago?

Right now, the game is only available online and in English, but a multi-language version will be released on International Disaster Reduction Day on October 10. ISDR director Salvano Briceño said, “We are aware that not all children have easy access to Internet and we are already preparing a DVD format to reach more youngsters in remote areas in Africa, Asia and Pacific or Latin America and Caribbean,” Mr. Briceño said.

He makes a good point, but out of those children who don’t have easy access to Internet, how many do you think have access to DVD players and TVs? These areas are those that would probably benefit the most from such programs. Well, if the children can’t play, let’s hope those in power can learn a thing or two from this game.

This isn’t the UN’s first foray into the gaming world. In 2005, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) launched the game “Food Force” where players launched virtual food airdrops over crisis zones and directed emergency trucks through treacherous rebel-controlled areas. The ISDR has also previously produced a board game called Riskland, aimed at children aged 6 to 10. The game has been a very successful educational tool and has been translated into many local languages, available at www.unisdr.org.

via UN News Centre

Tagged: Natural Disasters, United Nations, Video Games, GI Joe