Smokescreen - a game about life online

In 2009, Six to Start was commissioned by Channel 4 Education to help teens aged 14-16 understand the risks (and benefits) of being online – from defending themselves against phishing to avoiding online stalkers.  Smokescreen is the result.

Smokescreen is a game about life online. Users explore websites, search for clues, receive phone calls, chat on IM, and tackle puzzles and minigames. On Smokescreen, the question is: who can you trust?

At its heart, Smokescreen simulates the internet. In the game, players use ‘Fakebook’, ‘Gaggle’, ‘Tweetr’, ‘MSG messenger’ and other sites to help a group of friends who’ve set up an exclusive new teen-only social networking site called White Smoke. Players also receive simulated phone calls and text messages from the in-game characters; we wanted our players to believe that the fictional world they were in could actually be real – and so could the risks and threats it contained.

How does the game work?

Smokescreen takes place over 13 missions, each lasting 10-20 minutes, following the story of Max Winston and Cal Godfrey, two mates who’ve set up an exclusive social network called White Smoke. After Cal’s involved in a car accident and falls into a coma, White Smoke becomes huge – and starts attracting huge problems. Each mission sees you explore the world of White Smoke, and find out who you can trust – and who you can’t.

You can view the trailer below

Smokescreen Gameplay Trailer from Six to Start on Vimeo.

Smokescreen has just won the best game award at the US conference South by Southwest.

You can access the game here Smokescreen - and read more about it at the Six to Start website.

[via Guardian]

Comments

[Tim]

the video seems promising

[kostenlose MMORPG]

I already try the 1st out of 13 mission and it was fun... The most funny thing is the "Fakebook" and "Gaggle" it's really look like "Facebook" and "Google". Like it.. :)

[Meesan]

Great idea and a very promising concept. People need to understand the responsibilities and danger that come with using the internet. I hope this reaches many people. Great job!

[Paul Evans]

this is a very informative post.. i enjoyed reading it.