Warner Bros. Creates AIDS Prevention Game for Kenya
Warner Bros. Creates AIDS Prevention Game for Kenya
December 5, 2008
It's always great to see game tech being to put to use for purposes larger than mere entertainment.
Variety's Cut Scene blog reports that Warner Bros. Interactive will launch a free online game in Kenya designed to teach players about the risks of AIDS as well as how to prevent the spread of the disease.
The five-player game is called Pamoja Mtaani, which translates to Together in the Hood. It will target youth centers in Nairobi and features tunes from local hip-hop musicians. Pamoja Mtaani was developed by North Carolina-based Virtual Heroes, creators of America's Army.
Here's how Warner Bros. describes the game:
[Pamoja Mtaani] follows five strangers who are brought together through unforeseen circumstances, losing what is most precious to each of them. Working their way through various East African neighborhoods, players must recover the stolen items and help an injured woman on their quest. Along the way, they will experience barriers and facilitators to behavior change through a variety of missions and mini-games.
Pamoja Mtaani is an outgrowth of The Partnership For an HIV-free Generation.
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Posted 02/09/10 at 03:51pm
DarkSaber: I think he just goes round the internet copy+pasting the same bollocks to get attention.
DarkSaber: I think he just goes round the internet copy+pasting the same bollocks to get attention.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:41pm
Valdearg: @DS: I have to admit, I chuckled when I saw the 4 Feb 2010 on that post.. >.<
Valdearg: @DS: I have to admit, I chuckled when I saw the 4 Feb 2010 on that post.. >.<
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:31pm
DarkSaber: Hm, Bioshock. Not that Zippy likes to beat the dead horse by ranting about it for TWO $&%£ING YEARS!
DarkSaber: Hm, Bioshock. Not that Zippy likes to beat the dead horse by ranting about it for TWO $&%£ING YEARS!
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:30pm
DarkSaber: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.173063-Bioshock-yet-another-zippy-rant
DarkSaber: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.173063-Bioshock-yet-another-zippy-rant
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:20pm
DarkSaber: Although, unsurprisingly, he's just being called an idiot alot and criticised for being as illegible as always.
DarkSaber: Although, unsurprisingly, he's just being called an idiot alot and criticised for being as illegible as always.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:18pm
DarkSaber: Oh good lord, I just found Zippy on The Escapist.
DarkSaber: Oh good lord, I just found Zippy on The Escapist.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:14pm
Valdearg: IE: Male body/Female Mind or Female Body/Male Mind.
Valdearg: IE: Male body/Female Mind or Female Body/Male Mind.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:13pm
Valdearg: @Zip: TG == Transgendered/Transsexual.
Valdearg: @Zip: TG == Transgendered/Transsexual.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:09pm
DarkSaber: Forget it Zippy, it's an abbreviation of a big word and so would be wasted on you
DarkSaber: Forget it Zippy, it's an abbreviation of a big word and so would be wasted on you
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:07pm
ZippyDSMlee: Vlag:....TG?
ZippyDSMlee: Vlag:....TG?
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:02pm
Valdearg: @DS: Im sure that's what they'd do if it wasn't legal to just tell Gays/TG's to "Screw off," just because they're who they are.
Valdearg: @DS: Im sure that's what they'd do if it wasn't legal to just tell Gays/TG's to "Screw off," just because they're who they are.
Posted 02/09/10 at 02:50pm
DarkSaber: Whoever told him/her/it that is dumb. They should have done like most companies and made-up some bullshit, yet legal, reason for it not getting the job.
DarkSaber: Whoever told him/her/it that is dumb. They should have done like most companies and made-up some bullshit, yet legal, reason for it not getting the job.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:16pm
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:10pm
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:00pm
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:53pm
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
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Comments
Or we can teach people about AIDS in health class.
--- Official Protector of Videoland!
This is for Kenyans... do you live in Kenya? Do they have health class?
I want you to go look at the literacy rate for Kenya.
Sorry, I missed the Kenya part. That's what I get for skimmimg over the story.
--- Official Protector of Videoland!
So in the game it would have choices like would you tap this women or use drugs or something like that.
I have a feeling he doesn't realize their are poor countries out there.
On another note does the game involve avoiding penises? Cause I think they could probably just ship over some prison simulators.
I was wondering if they're too poor to get education in school, how are they going to play the game?? I'm all for trying to help people out especially people in dire straights with serious problems like this but you'd think everyone would know by now that generally poor populations don't have much cash to spend on entertainment so they have sex since its free (usually :P), this is why STDs spread and why poor hoods have large population growth despite poverty, boredom = sex i tell you. For instance if you were to cut electricty to a large area, you bet your ass a bunch of couples are gonna by like, damn i'm so bored and theres no TV or anything... lets have sex! :P
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Yeah, this is kind of silly. If they can't afford a basic health class in school, who are they expecting to play the game? Are they going to set up free kiosks out in the middle of poor Kenyan neigborhoods?
And from the description of the game, I'm not sure how they teach AIDS awarness. Sounds more like an adventure game. Kenya's HIV rate has dropped from 10 to 6% in the last decade, but shared drug use and prostitution are still the leading causes for spreading. Unless the game is saying "don't use drugs and spring for a condom," I'm not sure what they hope to accomplish.
Why bother? if your average Kenyan is too stupid to understand that you can stop the spread of AIDS either by wearing a condom or simply not fucking, I really doubt a game will help.
A severe beating with a lead pipe, maybe, but not a game.
The problem is they've been "educated" that it doesn't help, it's a matter of brainwashing, not stupidity.
I have a feeling the youths who play this game will have more fun doing the things you're NOT supposed to do in the game. I think the end result will be that the game becomes a point of ridicule rather than a teaching tool, good intentions notwithstanding.
"There is no sin except stupidity." - Oscar Wilde
This should work really well....
Games prevented me from getting laid for most of high school.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" - Benjamin Franklin
May the game spread like .. AIDS, I guess.
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"What for you bury me in the cold cold ground?" - Tasmanian devil
most people are literate and I'd probably estimate that 60% could have access to PC's to play the game.
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