Darfur is Dying Relaunches in Three New LanguagesPosted 2:45pm Fri Oct 26, 2007 by Shiva Stella Tags: Darfur, MTV, webgames

Given the pressing nature of the ongoing genocide in Darfur, which has already killed more than 400,000 and displaced over 2.5 million, MTV channels reaching 128 countries and a total potential audience of nearly 370 million households have signed on to help promote both the translated and English language versions of the game across on-air and online properties.

The winning game in the mtvU Darfur Digital Activist competition, “Darfur is Dying” was developed by University of Southern California students Susana Ruiz, Ashley York, Mike Stein, Noah Keating and Kellee Santiago.  The game is a narrative-based simulation where the user, from the perspective of a displaced Darfurian, negotiates forces that threaten the survival of his or her refugee camp.  Humanitarian aid workers with extensive on the ground experience in Darfur advised the students throughout the development process, helping to ensure the game accurately captured and was sensitive to the refugees’ plight.