Escape From Diab, a Video Game to Prevent Childhood Obesity and Related Illnesses
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona on 12.13.07
We previously wrote about how design can improve life for those affected by diabetes, a life threatening disease that is responsible for almost 3 million yearly deaths worldwide, according to WHO. And the numbers are growing. WHO estimates that by 2030, 366.000.000 people will be affected by diabetes, compared to 171.000.000 in 2000.
The sci-fi action and adventure video game Escape from Diab should help prevent kids from becoming obese and developing diabetes and other related illnesses.
In the game, the player fights along Deejab and Delinda against evil King Etes to turn the city of Diab back into the Golden City. The King has gotten rid of any exercise opportunity in the city and instead is feeding the population unlimited amounts of free junk food. The only way to win the fight is by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating right and exercising, in order to defeat King Etes and his guards.
Escape from Diab was developed by Archimage in Texas, in collaboration with the Children’s Nutrition Research Center of Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine. The video game, due to be release next year, can be played on the web, PCs, handhelds and Nintendo’s Gamecube. Escape from Diab had been nominated for the INDEX: Award as well as the 2007 Webby Award. To get a feeling of the game and meet the characters, watch the trailer. Thanks Niels J. for the tip! ::Escape from Diab
So...how is this noteworthy in a green context?
Meanwhile, the kids are sitting down, playing this game and not exercising... where is the real benefit here? Push them out the front door and tell them to go play!
I wish you woud state that this is for type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, which is what my 2 year old son as is autoimmune and has nothing to do with junk food and lack of exercise. I know, it may seem stupid for some to designate for what type it is, but as a parent of a child with type 1, I am sick of hearing comments on how I "gave" my son diabetes by feeding him junk food-this kid eats organic and tons of veggies and still developed it!