Gamers get taste of refugee life (thanks to the UN)

BBC News ^ | 9 November 2007 | Thomas Lane

[Aristotelian]

Escape and survive - play UN's online refugee game

Type "free games" into an internet search engine, and you'll find literally thousands of links to classics such as Pacman and Space Invaders. This week, however, these games are joined by an unusual addition.

Rather than chasing ghosts or fighting aliens, Against All Odds guides the gamer through the experience of being a refugee.

The game was designed by workers in the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Its various challenges include escaping from a hostile town, guiding your character across a dangerous border and staying alive in foreign lands with unfamiliar languages.

Target audience

"We found that children start forming ideas on refugees and similar issues at around the age of 12 to 15," said Katherine Rodriguez-Norman, who helped develop the game. "This seemed like a cost-effective way to target that audience."

[Aristotelian]

Though off the topic, the Law of the Sea Treaty -- at least as written back in Reagan's day -- includes a provision that gives the UN tax authority over any mineral riches mined from the seabed. Just what we need, a UN that can tax us. Oh my!

[Westlander]

Not as good as playing DOOM.

[Republic_of_Secession.]

I think Doom is the real life game of the United Nations.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Prostitute your children to UN staff for food.

[Mobile Vulgus]

I will try it this weekend

[DoughtyOne]

The game was designed by workers in the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Am I the only one who is continually amazed at the number of new (to me) U.N. agencies I've never heard of before, that are poping up?

[HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath]

How about a game where the average citizen can take refuge from the N.Y.C. meter maid by impersonating a U.N. official.

[SolidWood]

The UNHCR is actually one of the oldest and most active (for good or for worse) UN institutions.

[Aristotelian]

In my life, I have paid visits to the UN on several occasions. I’ve even eaten in the main cafeteria. My general impression was — “These people never had it so good.” I’m sure that life in many of their homelands is cruel and impoverished. But here, in NYC on an inflated salary, they get to live like royalty. It’s no wonder the UN takes forever to do nothing. Why spoil a good thing?

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks. I was afraid of that. LOL

You take care.

[Lee N. Field]

Against All Odds guides the gamer through the experience of being a refugee.

All from the comfort of the apartment in your Mom's basement.

[randog]

ts various challenges include escaping from a hostile town, guiding your character across a dangerous border and staying alive in foreign lands with unfamiliar languages.

Sounds like my recent trip to Italy.