End Game: Using Mobile and Online Games to Change Behavior
As technology creates a smaller world and shatters geographical borders, how does the NGO community use new technologies to its advantage? While SMS is becoming prevalent in the use of disseminating information, this workshop focused on the increasing use of video games, both on mobile devices and online, to create social change.
Michael Angst, the CEO of E-Line Media, works with organizations to develop games that target specific audiences, helping to determine the platforms to use to successfully harness the power of video games for social impact. A game for Deworm the World called “Worm Attack” is a “casual game” available on mobile devices that are more commonly used in developing countries. The game is used as an educational tool for both children and their parents that are participating in clinics, the idea being that they pass along the lessons they learn, and the game, to others in their community.
While measuring impact may seem difficult, many games are designed to easily produce analytics about who is playing them and for how long. Robert Hawkins, Senior Education Specialist with World Bank, is launching a second version of a multi-player online educational game that focuses on creating incentive to participate in social change in Africa. The game will launch online on May 8, but the trailer is available. This online platform makes is simple to follow who is playing the game and generate surveys about the impact the game is making on its audience.
Monitoring and Evaluation is an important aspect of programming for Maryanne Yerkes, Senior Civil Society Specialist with USAID Center for Excellence on Democracy and Human Rights and Governance. She spoke about a USAID gaming project, which specifically targets youth in Jordan, noting that extensive research is used to determine the impact of these types of programs.
Games for Change is an organization that creates and distributes social impact games for humanitarian efforts.
Contributed by Kellie Peake
