A Game Aims to Draw Attention to Women’s Issues

[LadyHawkAZ]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/business/a-game-aims-to-draw-attention-to-womens-issues.html?src=dayp&_r=1

"On March 4, a new game on Facebook, inspired by the book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” will be introduced, with a focus on raising awareness of issues like female genital mutilation and child prostitution."

(snip)

"The Half the Sky game starts out simply, as Radhika ponders how to afford a doctor visit for her sick daughter (the answer is to harvest mangoes, which players do for her).

Each step requires players to answer a question — for example, should Radhika ask her husband for help or stay silent? Neither answer is wrong, but each takes players on a different route.

As her empowerment grows, Radhika moves across the globe to Kenya, Vietnam and Afghanistan. But many of the game choices get progressively darker. One leads to a mother living and her baby dying."

I found this an odd way to go about consciousness-raising, but I'm interested in seeing how well it works.

[sheshe2]

1. I find the idea rather fascinating.

By making it a game, it could help to raise awareness.

I like this part too:

The players can then make equivalent real-world donations to seven nonprofit organizations woven into the game.

Ten dollars, for example, will help buy a goat for Heifer International; $20 will help support United Nations Foundation immunization efforts.

Thank you, LadyHawk!

[Neoma]

2. It's a type of media...

Although it's sometimes the same Zelda theme over and over again, that isn't the only kind there is. Strategic games made me understand history a little better when I was younger. (Genghis Khan? Who's that?) Even Call of Duty has some historical context, and some kids wouldn't know the Beatles without Guitar Hero. (What has the world come to!?)

Looking back at all the videogames I have played over the years, I think there were a lot of missed opportunities to teach. But if they start teaching, maybe people would get a tiny bit smarter. Though unfortunately videogame makers just follow other videogame makers footsteps. Gee, I wonder if there's going to be another strong dwarf with a hammer walking about. Hmmm...

In all seriousness, some videogames just make you kind of OCD. Gotta... Get... Coins. But hey, maybe this game will scare people more than Dead Space...

[LadyHawkAZ]

3. Those FB apps have OCD designed into them

I have fallen victim to a few.

I'll probably give this one a try. I'm going to have a look at the donation recipients before I give them any money though.

[Neoma]

4. Only one that did me in was Farkle.

Otherwise, I simply don't play FB games.