February 11, 2007
Divorce can be emotionally devastating for children, but a PC game created by a longtime family therapist may help ease the pain.
Earthquake in Zipland is the creation of Chaya Harash, who has spent the last 25 years counseling families. She says that the game is the "first research-based psychological computer game designed to help children deal indirectly with divorce and separation."
A press release describes how Earthquake in Zipland works:
Earthquake in Zipland is meant to be used by both kids and the parents as well as therapists and support groups.
Earthquake in Zipland is the creation of Chaya Harash, who has spent the last 25 years counseling families. She says that the game is the "first research-based psychological computer game designed to help children deal indirectly with divorce and separation."
A press release describes how Earthquake in Zipland works:
The game takes the child on a metaphorical adventure full of colorful characters and challenging tasks, while dealing indirectly with a number of important issues surrounding divorce and separation; issues such as anger, guilt, loyalty conflicts, the fantasy to reunite the divorced parents and other emotional effects of divorce on children.
Earthquake in Zipland is meant to be used by both kids and the parents as well as therapists and support groups.
Comments
Re: New PC Game Helps Kids Deal with Divorce
my name is Kristina McDowell and my parents are getting devoriced and i feel like killing myself for it cause i live with my mom and one brother one sister i dont have a room im sleeping in the sitting room please help me.
You're kidding right?
A) This is a game for kids, not hardcore elite gamers.
B) This isn't some multi-billion dollar company full of top CG Artists
The graphics are enough for someone who has much more important things to worry about, and the fact that that's practically the first thing you comment on is very cold.
It doesn't seem advanced, so I don't think they're trying to hide behind technical qualities. Keep in mind that a family counselor created this idea, and also keep in mind that there are games that help deal with the psychological impacts of certain situations, things that can help you get over fears. Rather than submit a verdict without waiting for results, it might be best to actually see if it helps any- for all you know, you could be dead wrong.
I think you completely missed the point of the game.
Its not designed to fight the depression. That depression can only be gotten rid of by 1 or 2 things. The parents working to solve the problems that THEY caused, or the child getting away from the conflict.
This game is designed to help kids deals with all the emotional baggage that comes with a divorce.
Split loyalties is the worst part. Even now that I am in college I still deal with that. I've gotten to the point where my parents are not allowed to come visit me.
If I'm interpreting this right, "Issues such as anger, guilt, split loyalties, the fantasy to reunite the parents, and more" appear to be problems that the game attempts to addressed, not traits that are being taught or encouraged.
I think it sounds like an interesting idea...and the graphics seem cartoony, as though they are being aimed more at younger children.
Um, I think you misinterpreted what was said. This thing is meant to help kids whose parents have ALREADY split up and divorced. Often, the child/children of divorced parents have fantasies that they can somehow help their parents get back together. This thing helps kids realize that their parents are unhappy together and that they are NOT going to get back together.
But speaking as a video game player, I don't know if this would have held my attention as an eight year old kid. My father tried buying my loyalty with an SNES pack containing Donkey Kong Country. The people who say that the graphics on this look weird are right.
I'm thinking a Phoenix Wright expansion pack for the DS, covering this exact topic, would be a really nice idea. Or at the very least, a free to download Flash game on newgrounds.com.
That seems a little harsh; why do you think that?
I can't tell if that's a serious request, but it's so absurd I'd assume not.
@ Disorganized
I'm with Sirikit; you need to back that statement up with an explanation. Normally when people do something to benefit children we don't condemn them.
I like that this game has been made. It's another sign that games can be embraced for purposes other than mere entertainment. The execution, as others have mentioned, leaves something to be desired from a technical standpoint, but the creator's heart is in the right place.
It's obviously intended for younger children, so the comments about the not-so-advanced graphics are much less a concern than if it was meant for teenaged kids. It's not simply a game meant to occupy your kid's time. It's a tool to be used along with the Parent's Guide to help the child and his or her parents discuss and learn to cope with divorce.
I can't speak to the effectiveness of tthe game, but I'll give it an 'A' for effort and innovation.
You have to remember that this game is a part of therapy. What would a kid choose: To sit an talk to a 'doctor,' or sit and play a 'sorta crappy' looking game?
I would suggest that even the most 'hardcore' gamer-kiddie would prefer to play this over the alternative, and this albeit cheesy-looking game would turn a therapy session from, "I hate going to this," into, "Eh, at least there's a videogame."
Also, it's intended for 7-13 year-olds, not older children. So, let's not forget that graphics aren't everything, and remember to put this game in context, like we do every other game we come across.
Seeing a character go through the pains of divorce is one thing - and maybe the child will vicariously feel some emotion through that - but i don't think it can translate back into reality when the kid is really distraught and has a crazed cycle of emotions. I don't think he's going to stop and say "what would moose do"
With all that being said i haven't seen the game so maybe if it holds the kid's interest and can balance fun and instruction it could really be of great value. I'll be waiting for the "Earthquake in dead-end job land: Time to get a grip and upgrade your career" video game =-P
Now, if the industry was smart, they'd get in there and subsidize this game, port it to consoles, and distribute it for a more monimal fee (home version). The full therapist version could be 50 bucks, since it seems to have other things included. I'd bet it's relatively small investment, compared with dev costs for modern retail games, and well worth the PR.
and i am al pwnxorz and stuff witout dis shiz
loolz, kidz theez dayz suckxorz loolz
pwnt, lolz
-g0d
Videogames are a natural addition to the therapy options that should be available, given how much games are a part of modern kid's lives nowadays.
I'm going to venture in the realm of hopeless naive fantasy here.
Basically you want a nationwide change in our family court system. I'm guessing you would also want a presumption of join custody. A better designed child support system that doesn't punish a parent who is doing there best to meet the monthly payments. Preferably one that doesn't throw them into jail for being late and force them to work off the ever increasing debt to get out of jail. We need a system that doesn't make it simpler for the "losing" parent to go off and start a new life and send a check to a child who they will never see.
We need a system that doesn't treat the child like a piece of meat to be fought over. Divorces are not the end of a state recognized relationship, they are a winner take all fight. As long as the system remains that way children AND parents will walk away with problems and animosity. However the children are the ones that hurt the most.
How right you are-Unfortunately children are the primary victims of divorce and without as much positivity in thier lives as possible will most likely be the carjacker/gangbangers of the future or one of the ladies wiggling it on the pole at the stripclub or walking the street in pumps in the shady part of town. My comment was pretty much a tongue in cheek spin on how they could make expansion packs for SIMS or something. I was divorced and thank God I didn't breed with the one that fooled me for long enough to go chasing around the Rock band Poison and ultimately ending up on Rikki's rocket. Parents nowaday would do the worlds state of well being a big favor by making sure they're in it for the long haul before breeding. I don't know if this game is a big enough bandaid for a severe problem but if it can help at least a few kids then I guess it's a start.
Was that called for?
_____________
"Seeing a character go through the pains of divorce is one thing - and maybe the child will vicariously feel some emotion through that - but i don’t think it can translate back into reality when the kid is really distraught and has a crazed cycle of emotions. I don’t think he’s going to stop and say “what would moose do”"
@Tim
Perhaps the focus is on letting kids know the different emotions they're feeling are normal, and that they aren't alone. That, and this simple game could give the kid a feeling of having some kind of control.
Or they could be moody cynical pissed of people like me, you can't forget that group, were in our own special little hell.
I was thinking the same thing...
Re:
Yeah the kid isn't going to play the game 24/7 and forget about real life it's only a game it's not going to stop divorce or make his parents get back together, the only thing that can help is a half way normal family.