Legacy Interactive® and American College of Emergency Physicians to Develop Web Game Designed to Help Prepare Families for Catastrophic Events

Organizations Announce Disaster Hero for the PC/Mac

LOS ANGELES June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Video game developer and publisher Legacy Interactive® today announced a contract with the American College of Emergency Physicians to develop a game designed to teach children and their families how to prepare for all types of hazards or emergencies. This project is funded by a grant (2008-GT-T8-K028) from the Department of Homeland Security.

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The web-based game will be targeted to multiple audiences, including children, early teens, parents, caregivers and teachers, and will focus on what to do before, during and after a disaster. The game and associated website will emphasize getting an emergency kit, having an emergency plan and being informed.

"This project to develop an educational program for children using a game platform will be a unique approach to teaching kids to have an active role in home disaster planning," said Dr. Angela Gardner, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). "ACEP is pleased to partner with many other stakeholders representing teachers, schools, daycare centers and youth organizations in the development of this program."

Players will be encouraged to learn about the types of disasters that might occur in their geographic region or state. The most common disasters – earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes – will be used to teach preparedness steps and to help users know how to prepare and what to do during and after an emergency event.

The game will include a variety of different game genres, depending on the type of educational content to be conveyed. For example, time management and puzzle gameplay will be used to teach how a person prepares for a possible emergency, including determining escape routes and meeting places. Hidden object gameplay will be used to teach what items belong in an emergency supply kit, such as batteries, flashlight and canned food. Simulation gameplay will be used to present quick-care tips such as applying pressure to control bleeding.

The players take the role of a "Disaster Hero" to help different families prepare for various disasters. Each disaster scenario provides a variety of game experiences and quizzes on what was learned. Points are earned throughout the experience and displayed on the Disaster Hero website. Downloadable learning activities and checklists targeted to teachers and parents also will be available on the website.

"Legacy's success in developing casual games such as The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes and House, M.D., combined with our long experience creating medical simulations for adults and kids, makes us an ideal partner for this project. It's a privilege to be able to work with the American College of Emergency Physicians on this very important project," said Ariella Lehrer, President and CEO of Legacy Interactive.

Early screenshots of this game have been developed and can be viewed along with this release.  Keep in mind, the final screenshots may be slightly different from those presented here.

For more information, go to www.disasterhero.com.  

This program was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 2008-GT-T8-K028, administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA. Points of view or opinions in this program are those of the author(s) and do not represent the position or policies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA.

About Legacy Interactive®

Legacy Interactive® is a seasoned developer of innovative simulations and games on all major interactive platforms. Entertaining and educating customers since 1998, the company has built a reputation for developing intelligent, realistic and high quality games for a broad audience. Located in Los Angeles, Legacy has introduced entirely new interactive genres such as TV drama games and medical and vet simulations, and in the process created best-selling games such as Law & Order, Pet Pals: Animal Doctor and Emergency Room. Legacy's games and simulations are distributed worldwide, online and retail, in more than 15 languages and on its game portal, www.legacygames.com.

About ACEP

ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies. www.acep.com

SOURCE American College of Emergency Physicians