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Passing the Ball
A cooperative game for parents and kids about Internet safety.
The game was commissioned by GDC Online, an annual conference connecting online and social game developers, and Web Wise Kids, an advocacy group that provides Internet safety tips for children and parents.
Passing the Ball was created by independent game developer Gregory Weir to explore the topic of Internet safety in the context of parent-child relations. Designed for parents and their children, players are shown through a thoughtful and allegoric game of catch that adults must work with children to help them develop online safety skills. Over time, children can be armed with the knowledge to make their own decisions online and ultimately, act as their own safeguard from dangerous content.
Passing the Ball takes a simple, child-like visual approach coupled with procedurally generated music and enemies. Each play through will be different but the message is the same.
Funder:
GDC Online and Web Wise Kids
Press:
Gamasutra
Screenshot:
Review the Game
At first I had the problem of the game being painfully slow in reacting. Changing the energy settings of my laptop brought it to a normal pace, which was fine. I can see the potential in "training" the kid to stay away from danger by itself – this mechanic does work. And it is a nice twist that I did not see coming. However, the visualisation is not for me. The background music is too repetitive, to my mind, and I would appreciate an option to turn it off, since it does not fit the game’s scenario and draws my attention from actually playing. All in all it is a nice premise, but keep polishing it in order to gain a higher score!
Review the Game