NEWS: Casual games used to help Aids prevention

I think we will see more and more of this over time, using games to educate and tell stories is an important part of the gaming industry.

The US government has teamed up with Warner Bros to make a free multiplayer casual PC game designed to spread awareness of HIV prevention across Africa.

Variety reports that the game, called ‘Pamoja Mtaani’ (which translated means ‘Together in the Hood’) has been developed by Virtual Heroes. It follows the stories of five separate characters whose stories are designed to explore the issues of behaviour that leads to the spread of AIDS, and subsequently help in their prevention.

The game also features music by Kenyan hip hop artists. Pamoja Mtaani is set to be rolled out in youth centres in Nairobi, which will all be kitted out with suitable LAN networks.