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A Force More Powerful
Game URL: www.afmpgame.com
Developer: International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, York Zimmerman Inc. and BreakAway Games
Non-Profit: International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (a private operating foundation) provided funding and overall content advice
Release Date: March 1, 2006
Project Lead: Steve York
Funding Sources: International Center on Nonviolent Conflict
Sponsors/In-kind donations: -
Budget:
Overall: 3,000,000
Secured: 3,000,000
Brief Description
AFMP is the first and only game to teach the waging of conflict using nonviolent methods. Destined for use by activists, the game will also educate the media and general public on the potential of nonviolent action and serve as a simulation tool for academic studies of nonviolent resistance
Full Description
AFMP is primarily a game of strategy, emphasizing abstract ideas and planning. Its realism depends on the accuracy of its underlying political models. Game play is governed by detailed interactive models-of strategic and political factors, ethnicity, religion, literacy, material well-being, media and communications, resource availability, economic factors, the role of external assistance, and many other variables. Tactics include such basics as training, fund-raising and organizing, as well as leafletting, protests, strikes, mass action, civil disobedience and noncooperation. Many game-play decisions involve selecting which characters and groups should take part in the strategy, and weighing the benefits of such actions relative to their costs. Game play involves the player's side (the movement) and an opponent (the regime). The regime is created by the designer of each scenario, and controlled by the game's artificial intelligence (AI). The player takes charge of the movement's material and human resources, assesses the strengths and vulnerabilities of the adversary as well as those of the movement, then chooses goals, strategies and tactics. Groups are the game's basic political units, representing the interests and agendas common to every complex struggle. Recruiting characters and building alliances is a principal game activity, involving labor, business, government, agricultural, academic and professional, media, religious and military categories. Playing one or more of the packaged scenarios, users will learn strategic planning, formulation of goals (such as compelling free elections or the resignation of a dictator), and the choice of tactics (such as strikes, protests or boycotts). Each scenario is played within a physical environment which affects the conflict. A national map shows regions, cities, mining, industrial and farming areas, rivers, mountains, ports, and the transportation network. Within regions, zoomed-in city views are detailed down to neighborhoods and buildings. However, a scenario may take place entirely within a single city or region. AFMP includes a powerful suite of tools with which users can re-create real-life political struggles, or create their own from scratch. It is an unprecedented way for users to learn about the principles of strategic nonviolent struggle, by making the decisions themselves.
Target Audience: High school age and up
Social Issues Addressed: public policy,
Purpose:
To teach people about the effectiveness and applicability of nonviolent strategies in struggles for rights and freedom
Metrics:
How? We know the game is being used by activists in situations best left unpublicized so we deliberately don't track use or measure results.
What outcomes have been measured?
Press Coverage:
http://www.aforcemorepowerful.org/game/news.php
Press Release URL: http://www.afmpgame.com/press-kit/Press%20Release.pdf
Public Contact Information
Name: Miriam Zimmerman
Email: mzimmerman@yorkzim.com
Press Contact Name: Miriam Zimmerman
Press Contact Email: mzimmerman@yorkzim.com
Game Tags: Nonviolent conflict Nonviolent strategy Nonviolent action Nonviolent struggle International Center on Nonviolent Conflict York Zimmerman Inc. Nonviolent video game
Where you can play this game: We sell it off our website. It is not currently downloadable.
