| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this serious simulation can be bleak and depressing at times -- your family can go into debt, get sick, and even die. But, the game also teaches kids about the hardships and unfortunate realities of farm life in Africa (civil war, raids by guerilla forces, stealing by refugees, disease, drought) and how to use planning skills to overcome them. Also, until they figure out the game's strategy, kids may also get frustrated when their family repeatedly dies.
3RDWORLDFARMER.COM is a sim game about what it's like to be a poor farmer in Africa. The game starts with a husband and wife, two kids, $50, and a plot of land with a hut, and you play by making decisions about how to use your land and spend your money. Kids will experience many things that aren't part of farming in the U.S., including civil war (where both sides plunder your resources), raids by guerilla forces, and theft from refugees, and the game presents an endless series of natural setbacks, including drought and disease.
While the graphics are rudimentary, the simulation is thought-provoking and kids will learn about the importance of investing in infrastructure, political leadership, insurance, and community projects. The site also provides links to resources about world hunger.
Families can talk about some of the issues facing Africa and other developing nations. What are the causes of poverty? How realistic is this simulation? Do farmers actually raise elephants? How does supporting your local representative help prevent guerilla forces from raiding your farm? Why is buying a cell phone important? Do you think it is more important to have a school or a clinic?
| Genre: | Gaming |
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