GRANT DESCRIPTION

To support Area/Code Entertainment LLC, a cross-media game design firm, to develop a series of games in partnership with local organizations to foster community engagement.

Macon Money: a game in Macon, GA, that uses an alternative form of local currency – Macon Money – to connect residents to each other and to attract and expose residents to local business in the College Hill Corridor and downtown area. The game is being developed in partnership with the College Hill Alliance.

Battlestorm: a game in Biloxi, MS, designed to promote the importance of hurricane preparedness through game activities focused on youth. The game is being developed and implemented in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, United Way of South Mississippi, American Red Cross and Harrison County Emergency Operations Center.

ASSESSMENT PURPOSE & APPROACH

Key Questions

• What is the effect of the games on community members who participate? Does participation in the game affect participants’ knowledge, attitudes and behavior as intended?

• What is the role of community partners in the games, and what role can they serve to institutionalize learning and sustain elements of the games?

• What factors affect game implementation and outcomes and how can these inform broader replication?

• What can be learned generally about the use and effectiveness of social impact games?

Approach: Qualitative and quantitative research methods will be utilized in the evaluation, including material review, interviews, surveys, participant observation and network mapping.

Assessment Partner: Cause Communications and Arbor Consulting Partners

Project Findings

The formative evaluation launched in March 2011 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. Findings will be released on an ongoing basis from June 2011 onwards.