Real Lives 2004 (Windows)

Kids can live the life of another person, growing up in Ghana, Brazil, or India, by playing REAL LIVES 2004. It starts by generating a life based on current population and birth rate statistics (you have a 1 in 5.3 chance of being born in India). Once born, players face realistic events and problems that typically occur in the country of your birth, making decisions and witnessing the consequences as they age and "live" the simulated life. Lives proceed on a yearly basis and, as players make decisions, the data engine adjusts possible outcomes for that particular life.

Many features allow teens to explore the simulation in more depth, including an "undo" option permits players to rethink a decision and then see how the change affects their simulated lives. A life can be experienced in 30 minutes or a couple of hours. Players' interactions will depend on how much information they read before making their life decisions, and how lucky they are in life. There are Internet links throughout the game for more information.

Behind this simulation is a robust data engine that uses statistics from over 100 sources, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, Amnesty International, encyclopedias, and other fact books to present accurate cultural, political, and economic systems. Statistics also drive the presentation of personal attributes, health issues, family issues, schooling, jobs, natural disasters, wars, and more. It is rated "Teen" because, where statistically appropriate, it deals with things like sexually transmitted diseases and brutal crimes including rape. Those aspects can be eliminated in the "Configure Issues" controls.

This software creates a powerful learning opportunity for teens to experience other cultures with empathy. Though gameplay is mostly text-based, it is fascinating. Real Lives 2004 has a 14-day free download, so families can walk a lifetime in someone else's shoes many times over before deciding to buy the software.