'Flood fighter' game teaches Asian kids survival tips

[webfact]

Special Feature:

'Flood fighter' game teaches Asian kids survival tips
by Amélie BOTTOLLIER-DEPOIS

AYUTTHAYA, May 13, 2014 (AFP) - Dodging electrocution, drowning and even crocodiles, the Thai virtual hero of a new mobile game called "Flood Fighter" aims to educate children across Asia about the perils posed by Mother Nature.

More than 800 people, including dozens of children, were among the victims of devastating floods that hit Thailand in 2011, affecting 65 of 77 provinces.

In an effort to prevent further deaths, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) hatched the idea of a free education mobile game app to spread the word.

"In Thailand everybody has a mobile phone, so why not convey our message through an application?" said Ichiro Miyazawa, who oversaw development of "Sai Fah: The Flood Fighter".

The free download for smartphones and tablet computers has proved a hit in a country which in 2012 had almost 130 mobile telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, according to the International Telecommunication Union.

Just a few weeks after its launch in January, the game topped the charts for educational apps in Thailand, with more than 22,000 downloads.

The concept is simple: the house of lead character Sai Fah, whose name means "lightning", has flooded.

He must complete missions during 22 episodes before, during and after the rise in the waters, each one carrying a message of prevention.

- Avoiding snakes, crocodiles -

The tasks include stocking essential items, putting important belongings high up, not drinking unboiled water, cutting the electricity supply, as well as avoiding snakes that have been forced from their natural habitat and crocodiles that have escaped from farms.

Ayutthaya province, where the game is set, was particularly badly affected by the 2011 floods.

Homes, temples and car factories were underwater for weeks.

In the district of Ban Praek, where UNESCO visited to promote the game, memories of the disaster are still raw.

"The water came up to my head," said Nittaya Soponpit, the director of a local community education centre.

She believes the game will help children to be ready for any repeat.

"They will know how to prevent, how to prepare, how to handle floods".

Some of the game's lessons appear to have already been learnt.

Next time, "I will prepare drinking water," 17-year-old student Kitkanok Klungnumkoo said after trying out the game at a demonstration by UNESCO.

Pornnamphet Sainet, 10, added: "I will follow the advice of the game by cutting the electrical circuit".

"I was scared the water would not decrease," she said. "I still don't know how to swim."

- Asia next target -

"Sai Fah" is not meant to be a substitute for swimming lessons or life jackets, in a country where most children cannot swim.

But its message is simple: "Just stay away from the water as much as possible," said Miyazawa.

In the game, the small boy wearing a red umbrella hat must use a stick to test the ground in front of him and avoid falling into a hole or being swept away by floodwaters.

After its success in Thailand, a recently launched English-language version of the game aims to spread the message in other Asian countries affected by floods, such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines. At least 4,000 downloads were recorded in the initial weeks.

Those countries are drenched by annual monsoon rains that regularly cause floods, with rapid urbanisation, deforestation and poorly designed infrastructure aggravating the problem.

While the new version is not in their mother tongue, children who play video games are usually capable of understanding instructions in simple English, according to Nathalie Sajda, project manager at Opendream which developed the game for UNESCO.

And while some cultural and environmental references might be specific to Thailand, "there are some lessons that are universal," she added.

"They might not know the temples of Ayutthaya, but at least the design is very cute. It's playful and fun, and that is the most important -- that people enjoy playing."

The biggest challenge for developing a video game is how to win people's attention, Sajda said.

"Children these days have very high expectations of games."

While the game developer has previous experience on similar projects, such as a sex education game, for UNESCO it was uncharted territory.

"There is a big potential in gamification," said Miyazawa.

"Why not create a game which can promote peace, or about gender violence? We can do a lot through mobile phones and applications."


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-13

[chainarong]

But but, the flood mitigation program is working perfectly.

[Thai at Heart]

No advice to request water pushers I notice.

[kuma]

What sin excellent idea, using the most accessible platform and one of the most compelling way of reaching young peoples attention to educate on such a critical topic. Outstanding work IMO

[marko kok prong]

Teaching the kids to swim could also help.

[Metisa]

Good. Good. Teach the kids what their educational pads are for: playing games that teach you how to theoretically swim past dangers?

Any crocks biting in the game? Like Chalerm and Jatuporn?

[JeremyBowskill]

Is there a game to teach them how to dodge M79 grenades? As this seems to be the most recent dangerous trend in the nations fair capital.

[wprime]

What sin excellent idea, using the most accessible platform and one of the most compelling way of reaching young peoples attention to educate on such a critical topic. Outstanding work IMO

They copied my idea of using GTA to teach Asian kids how to drive.

[Metisa]

What sin excellent idea, using the most accessible platform and one of the most compelling way of reaching young peoples attention to educate on such a critical topic. Outstanding work IMO

They copied my idea of using GTA to teach Asian kids how to drive.

Are there any divisions in your idea? I mean in the GTA idea?

Like, if your name ends with a certain spelling, such as Yoovidhya or Na Ayudhya, do you get an extra 10 lives and new wheels?

If so.. that's a cool, realistic game.

[Stan7444]

Teaching the kids to swim could also help.

Very true but not necessarily during flooding since the water flow is very fast many times and there are chemicals, sewage, snakes, etc. in these types of waters Would not want your head in the water but doing a dog paddle might help.

[Stan7444]

But but, the flood mitigation program is working perfectly.

Since my company is focused upon flood protection and mitigation know a bit about this topic and it was the Dems that choose to go to court and stop the National Water Management project, accusing the PTP of corruption. How though could there be any corruption if not one baht has been spent on the program? This is like cutting off your nose to spite your face when people's lives and property are at stake. Dems should have gotten on board to support the country instead of dividing the country costing people their lives.

[Misterwhisper]

One of the tasks probably asks Sai Fah to put 1,000 boats in his back yard and let their propellers run so the water drains faster.

[Payboy]

Everything I need to know to survive in Thailand, I learnt from Donkey Kong.

Edited May 13, 2014 by Payboy

[Metisa]

Everything I need to know to survive in Thailand, I learnt from Donkey Kong.

The boxing promoter?

[JesseFrank]

So is Thailand now the hub of educational games ?

[Rorri]

Stan7444, on 13 May 2014 - 16:26, said:

marko kok prong, on 13 May 2014 - 12:42, said:

Teaching the kids to swim could also help.

Very true but not necessarily during flooding since the water flow is very fast many times and there are chemicals, sewage, snakes, etc. in these types of waters Would not want your head in the water but doing a dog paddle might help.

Game, they don't need a game... just teach... dam-n that means they need to learn, them to stay away from flood waters, teach the parents to watch and protect their kids.