Representatives from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have confirmed that the organization's popular serious game
Food Force will be available in seven languages, following the launch of French, Hungarian and Chinese versions. These will join the Japanese, Italian and Polish editions already available, as well as the original English version of the game launched in April 2005.
Representatives note that the different version of
Food Force are being released in the lead up to World Food Day, 16 October. Food Force is an educational computer game created by the WFP to teach children about the problem of hunger and the importance of humanitarian aid work. The game, which is targeted at children aged 8 to 13, is available as a
free download and has been played by at least four and a half million people since its launch.
All of the game's versions have been made possible through donations from game industry leaders and international organizations. The French game was supported by major software developer and publisher Ubisoft, and will be launched in Paris on October 15.
The Hungarian version, which will be launched in Budapest on October 13, has been financed by the European Commission's development agency, ECHO. The Chinese
Food Force, which was built on a pro-bono basis by one of China's leading media companies, Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited, will be presented to the public on October 19.
"
Food Force is clear evidence that with the right medium, an issue as invisible and distant as hunger in the developing world can trigger interest and support in countries where too much food is the high profile problem today," said Neil Gallagher, WFP's Director of Communications. "Positive reactions from children, teachers, parents, game specialists around the world have surpassed all our expectations. We are thrilled that
Food Force has crossed so many borders."
