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Using Video Games To Enhance Community

Ben Rueter |

There’s plenty of game companies that try and educate people through physical games. But the good people at the Knight Foundations and Area/Code are taking educational gaming to a very specific level; to see if local communities can solve local problems. They’ve created a physical game called Battlestorm that prepares people for hurricane scenarios. It combines games like capture the flag and handball in way that educates players for the worst nature can deliver. The game is currently being tested in Mississippi. They’ve also developed the game Macon Money. This game deals with economics. Its main purpose is to create close connections within communities. The two companies are working with local business – in Georgia at the moment – to give the game a real and competitive feel. Now if only Knight Foundation and Area/Code create a game that prepares us all for a zombie uprising, we’d be set.