Quest is in the Evening Post today (page 20). All in all its not a bad write up and reads as follows:
COMPUTER GAME’S REAL LIFE SKILLS…
Computer games are blamed by some for making children anti-social. But Quest, being launched at Nottingham’s first games festival, aims to help young players relate to others – and keep them out of trouble. It sees gamers escape a volcanic eruption by learning how to help others and then pick up important life skills to survive on a new island home.
Quest, designed for youngsters at risk of offending or those who have been expelled from school, will be launched during the GameCity festival on October 27. It will soon be available online.
“We are trying to show them that they have a responsibility for other people,” said Dr David Brown, from Nottingham Trent University, who managed the development of the game. “And kids like playing computer games, so we look at that idea to make it fun.”
Players choose the name for their character, its gender, race, hair and clothing. Personal advice is given by your “grandparents” via mobile phone and texts are sent as reminders.
To escape the volcanic island, they must make friends with other characters, such as Salty the Sailor, and teach them self-esteem, anger management and how to handle stress. Then gamers arrive at a second island and learn skills to help find employment, how to handle the first few days and employee rights.
Developer Nick Shopland said the educational value is not blatant, but part of the game.
Pupils from South Notts College tested the game and did voice overs.
Student Dean Buchanan, 17, said: “I learned about how to get a job and stuff. It was good. I enjoyed doing it. It will definitely help other kids.”
Student Andrew Jaynes, 17, also tested the game. He said: “It helps teach kids reading. My favourite bit was just running around the screen.”
Quest cost £150,000 to develop and was funded by a grant from the Learning Skills Council.
It will be available to play online for free once the website has been finished. Gamers can try it out at View From The Top Gallery, above Waterstone’s in Bridlesmith Gate on October 27.
Mark Greenwood, e2e coordinator at South Notts College’s West Bridgford Centre, has used a basic version of Quest to help pupils. He said:
“It has re-engaged kids back into education who have been seen as unteachable. Some have been out of education for a year. The personal development side is working well.”
Over the next two years the game will also be developed for use in European prisons.
Game developer Steve Battersby said: “It has been great fun to do. The kids have been involved in the development process all the way through.”
Visit www.gamecity.org for more information.
Author: CHRIS BIRKLE
Source: Evening Post
say what do you think