Point And Click Adventure Teaches First Aid

Thanks to Biz Ink for posting a press release showcasing a new point and click PC adventure game which explains practical first aid to kids. The game, called D.M. Dinwiddie, Physician-In-Training, apparently "..communicates basic medical and first aid information through an engaging series of adventures and medical mysteries." More interestingly, the FAQ says the game "..is a turn-based adventure game, with similarities in style to popular retail games like Police Quest or Monkey Island." And with exciting in-game scenarios like The Quest For Popcorn, it may be all adventure game fans have to take them through these dark times into the mythical Second Age Of SCUMM.

Comments

wrong format

[kurosawdust]

point and click? Why not first person shooter?? Aww I was so looking forward to getting my hands on a BFD (Big Flippin' Defibrillator) too...

Good use of technology

[TuringTest]

This game is like one of those trifold medical brochures: a nice way to teach general culture. And with this format, children would be more inclined to read it all and it will have a good time, if the game is funny and the information in it is accurate. A good idea overall.

Re:Good use of technology

[johndoejersey]

as the article says

"a point and click adventure game"

When kids play this are they going to feel like they are in school again or actually playing a game?

IMO only the latter will make this project worthwhile.

Or...

[PeeweeJD]

why not let the gamer cause the injury and then hit a key and switch into paramedic mode... you could go on a "GTA3" style rampage of clubbing, carjacking and snipering and then go on a "Florence Nightingale" style rampage of suturing, bandaging and splinting... That would be fun!!!

Life and Death?

[Matrix272]

There was a game back in the day called Life and Death, which required the player to go through several operations which were, for its day, pretty graphic. I could never get past the first one, since the game was so damn hard (I didn't have the manual), but I remember having to cut the person's chest with a scalpel, and if you were just a tiny bit off, he'd bleed to death and you'd lose.

Anybody else remember that game?

Re:Life and Death?

[sICE]

Yes sure... it was damn hard and i couldnt get past the first operation without reading the books you found in the game... you can download it here

Re:Life and Death?

[svallarian]

and don't forget the sequel (Life and Death 2: The Brain), which was even harder, as brain surgery takes a bit more than abdominal sugery.

That game was pretty brutal though, as you could cut the gas off right in the middle of surgery...

Re:Life and Death?

[TC (WC)]

Wow... I remember that game... I'm not exactly sure where it came from, it just showed up in my house one day, with no instructions. I never managed to get past the first surgery either. I sure did spend a bunch of time accomplishing absolutely nothing except malpractice, though.

Designed by Josh Mandel

[Decaffeinated Jedi]

For what it's worth, D.M. Dinwiddie at least boasts some quality adventure gaming credentials. It was designed and written by Josh Mandel--best known for his work on Space Quest 6, Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist, Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, and numerous other games.

I guess it's not exactly a conventional gig, but at least the company bothered to hire someone who knows what he's doing when it comes to making an adventure game.

DecafJedi

Should work nicely

[Anonymous Coward]

After all, I learned how to perform surgery from "Operation."

Re:Should work nicely

[cei]

I imagine it more like the Infocom Hitchhiker's Guide game when you're trying to get the babblefish... You go through an elaborate series of steps in a percice order, only to realize you forgot to pick up a vital piece of the equation 50 steps earlier.

Re:Should work nicely

[spiny]

damn that cheese sandwich!!!

Re:Should work nicely

[bobbozzo]

I could never figure out how to get out of the apartment in that damn game... made me very frustrated about the $35 I had spent on it.

And I was given StarCross, which turned out to also be impossible for someone who had never taken Chemistry (I was only 13). Fortunately, I was able to find a hint book for that. Other than the Chemistry (and the Grues! :P), it was fun for me.

Much later, Infocom started assigning difficulty rankings to their games. StarCross turned out to be "Advanced" :P

Re:Should work nicely

[Anonymous Coward]

Once you wake up and open your eyes, you have to put on your robe and get/take the analgesic (pick up everything that isnt nailed down). After the world calms down you can make it into the bathroom and try to brush your teeth (pick up everything that isnt nailed down). If you look out the windw you will notice a bulldozer advancing on your house. Go downstairs (pick up anything not nailed down) and out the front door to confront the evil foreman.

Re:The rest of the team

[Decaffeinated Jedi]

A little more on the people behind the game...

Apparently, D.M. Dinwiddie was illustrated by former Sierra On-Line artist Rich Powell and animated by Lucasarts artist Karin Nestor. Heck, that alone means that it has a better design team than the average DreamCatcher adventure. ;)

Stupid implementation...

[HaloZero]

This product may very well give kids the wrong message.

To this point, kids have been told left and right that things which occur in video games shouldn't occur in the real world. That they should not do as they see. That it's wrong and bad and so on. I'm not saying that a First Aid Game will teach them bad things, I'm saying that the mentality surrounding gaming and it's alleged negative effect on children's minds suggests that this game will make kids come to the one of the following conclusions:

• What my parents told me the first time is wrong, and that I should do what I see in games.
• What my parents told me is right right right, and that I should never do what I see in this game. Perhaps even do the opposite.
• My parents are fucking liars and I can't figure out what they want me to do. Do this. Don't do this. THEY'RE BOTH VIDEO GAMES.

So make up your mind. Do you want kids to do what they see in video games or not?

Re:Stupid implementation...

[BenSnyder]

I'm going to assume that this is an honest question and not a troll.

I don't think parents have a general "don't do anything you see in video games" mentality. If that were the case, then nobody who has played Animal Crossing would be able to write letters, run errands for friends, fish, collect shells, or design clothing (among other things). The continual representation of video games as a villian by the media happens by in large only when there is an activity to link it to (even though it's unlikely that a direct connection can be made). There are also other items like Sunday's CNN article discussing gamers as well adjusted people rise to the surface.

The truth is that people do learn from games. Just the fact that they make education titles proves this. It's fair to assume that playing America's Army will teach at least some sembalance of Army tactics. That's even one of the goals of the Army when they designed the game. It is up to a person and the influences he/she entertains to keep from using that knowledge to rampage through their own school.

For the best explaination of this I can think of, see this classic Sean Baby rant on the topic.

Re:Stupid implementation...

[HaloZero]

It wasn't intended as a troll. Just an... observation?

More often than not, I've heard parents actually tell kids 'Don't ever do what you see in video games.' - merely because the only exposure those parents have had is what they've seen in the media (warmongering against violent video games). You and I have a different perspective, because we've seen almost all, if not all facets of the industry. And then of course you have the popularity circles. I know Animal Crossing well, but I can honestly tell you that I don't know any non-gamers who play it (non-gamer being one who plays console or PC games, but only to be part of a crowd), and it's these non-gamers who don't get too into it, and just play what is 'hot'. Know what I mean, at all? I see kids like that a lot - they play the 'hot' controversial games, to rebel it seems. But that's all. No real gamer-style-games. No diversity. Just hack-n'-slash titles. I know of families whose relatives bought a copy of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, for a twelve-year-old as a gift, not because they thought the child would like it, but simply because it was 'the up and coming thing' to do. To keep up with the Joneses, and done out of pure ignorance for the content of the title. Still, borne of the same ignorance, you have parents who have dismissed ALL video games as violent trash, and they are the ones who tell their children 'Do nothing of what you see in video games'.

I think I'm starting to lose the train of thought I had when I started this, so if it's making less and less sense, I'm sorry.

The comment I initially posted was from the perspective of a younger, more inexperienced and/or naive gamer, open to the opinions of their parents, and not understanding the dynamic of the industry. Or one who plays only the violent games.

I... uh... yeah. That train of thought thing. Gone. Umm..

Not all video games are bad. Not all video games are inherantly good, either. Not everyone understands that distinction.

Re:Stupid implementation...

[BenSnyder]

I get you. You're saying that the rule of thumb is that kids shouldn't apply what they learn in games in the real world. Basically, playing Vice City doesn't mean you can go around stealing cars.

I'm with you there.

I've been spending a lot of time with this topic only because I'm working on a multimedia approach to interdisciplinary learning where video games would serve as a primary learning tool for schools. And to some extent, you're right, there's a bias against video games in the minds of adults who have never really been exposed to a game past thinking that it's a "kids toy". But that's a battle to be fought and a conception to change. There was even a ruling (sorry for the vagueness) where a judge ruled that games weren't speech because they didn't communicate anything. So there are hurdles to overcome. But overcoming them I think is the goal, not not using games as a learning tool.

add-on pack

[austad]

Also available:

The Breast Augmentation Add-on pack
Virtual Vasectomy

Re:Stupid implementation... Not!

[Basje]

It isn't the wrong message: you shouldn't ever attempt to do first aid if you're not licenced! If anything goes wrong, and it is easy to go wrong, you're at risk to end on the wrong side of a tort claim. In other words: it can easily ruin you .

Your obligation to help in this legal climate is limited to calling 112, 911 or whatever the emergency number is at your location. And then hope the emergency services are in time.

+++'bout SCUMM

[sICE]

Being very fond of those old Lucas Art games, i though giving away a few links about the SCUMM VM may be interresting for other /.ers.

- The SCUMM VM (already on /. here (Linux SCUMM Interpreter), and here (Lucas Confuses ScummVM With Abandonware).
- The SCUMM Bar, sadly down untill mid-july (but not closed!), is a reference on the genre, with nice interviews with the original developpers of the first games.
- The International House of Mojo
- WWHS
- The Big Whoop Fairground (Monkey Island)
- The Legend of Mokey Island

Well from there you can find tons of links to fan sites...

Actually Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders was my first introduction to the genre when i was around 13, on a now old C64. This game was really crazy and got me so addicted that it was a reason for my parents to buy me a english/french dictionnary. There's a few projects from fans for a follow-up:
- Zak McKracken
- Zak McKracken and the Alien Rockstar
- Zak McKracken Between Time and Space

Finally some of you may also want to have a look to the news groups alt.games.lucas-art.*

have fun!

But how US-centric is it?

[Thornae]

This looks like a good educational game, however I'd be interested to know if they're planning any alterations for international versions.
My own country, Australia, has quite a few differences (I've been told) to the US in approved First Aid procedures. For instance, we're taught not to use the Heimlich maneuver, as it often causes more problems than it solves.
Also, US First Aid courses apparently still use the "crosscut and suck out the venom" method of treating snakebites. If you try that in Australia with the majority of venomous snakes here, You Will Die - most Australian snakes have much nastier venom than their US counterparts, and getting it in your mouth is generally fatal.

A quick flick through the website seems to indicate it's pretty well researched and checked, but I wonder if they'll be contacting medical authorities in other countries before they release there..

Re:But how US-centric is it?

[Mike Hawk]

A better question would be is it open source? Then instead of complaining about it being US-centric you could just re-work it to your needs.

Re:But how US-centric is it?

[PainKilleR-CE]

Also, US First Aid courses apparently still use the "crosscut and suck out the venom" method of treating snakebites.

I'm pretty sure they don't teach that in the US (though I could be wrong, since the only first aid course I've taken was a requirement in high school), since they'd be pretty concerned about what the other person had that you might catch by getting their blood in your mouth. As far as I know (growing up in southern CA where poisonous snakes are fairly common) they teach you to use a tourniquet and to transport the person (keeping them as motionless as possible) to the nearest hospital.

Then again, at different times I've heard they teach you not to use a tourniquet any more, too, but reducing the blood flow from the wound is just a good idea when it comes to dealing with rattlesnake bites.

Re:But how US-centric is it?

[PainKilleR-CE]

err that should be reducing the blood flow from the wound towards the heart...

Re:But how US-centric is it?

[Thornae]

I'm pretty sure they don't teach that in the US

Fair enough - I was only going by hearsay. Here, we're taught to use a pressure immobilisation bandage up and down the limb, keep the limb below heart level, and keep the patient still and calm. And get medical help ASAP, of course.

Actually, it's probably Hollywood's fault for the misconception - the amount of bad first aid in movies (and on tv, in any part of the world) is staggering.

Re:But how US-centric is it?

[PainKilleR-CE]

Well, I'm sure you realize quite well what kind of perception most Americans have of Australia thanks to Hollywood and the Discovery channel ;p But yeah, even if they told people to suck the venom out, I don't think most people actually would (especially anyone that actually works in the health professions).

Re:But how US-centric is it?

[Neuticle]

The problem with the Heimlich maneuver is that people who don't know what they are doing will often perform it on people who don't need it. For example, they might have something in the wrong tube, but are still breathing. If someone is making noise, coughing etc, they aren't choking and the heimlich won't do squat except damage organs.
When someone is actually choking, it is often the only way to re-establish an airway, short of cricing them.

To my knowledge, NO respected US first aid course ever taught the cut and suck method. Common sense should inform that if the snake bites in a II shape, then cutting a II shape would expose the venom, whereas X cutting would miss the spots where venom entered, and just make a really nasty wound.
It's pretty much stupid Hollywood "heroes" in movies that have propagated this idiocy. John Wayne's buddy gets bitten by a rattlesnake (99.8% non-lethal), the Duke starts field surgery, then everyone thinks it's the thing to do. Don't even get me started on the people who think they can cric someone (put an airway through the cricoid membrane) with a pen because they saw it on TV.

I don't think the US has many differences in official First-Aid guidlines, unless they apply to things like native plants and animals (Australia does have some nasty critters). Red Cross first aid is the defacto standard here, and they are an international org. /Speaking as an EMT

Re:Stupid implementation... Not!

[spumoni_fettuccini]

"you shouldn't ever attempt to do first aid if you're not licensed!"

I took a Red Cross CPR course about 10 years ago and at that time [in the U.S.] you were covered by a good Samaritan clause, that if any thing happened while you were doing your best to save a life you "should not" [some moron may still try and sue] be liable in the event of further injury or death. Does this not apply anymore? I would imagine many people that ordinarily help out [past the emergency call] might think twice about it.

Consent

[Mike Hawk]

I hereby grant permission to anyone who has completed this adventure game to do their best at performing first aid on my person while waiting for emergency professionals to arrive in order to prevent further injury or death. Mike Hawk

Re:Stupid implementation... Not!

[realdpk]

It may apply, but these days, who knows how long you have to spend in a court room or how much you have to spend on a lawyer to defend yourself with it.

This society has definitely taught me one thing - look out for myself above all other interests.

Funded by public money?

[gozar]

It appears that the game was funded through grants from the National Institutes of Health. Why does the game cost money then?

And why can't I find grants to fund my own game creations? :-)

my Life and Death experience

[soulcutter]

Wow, I thought I was the only one who played this game. One of my favorites was to cut a circular hole in the person's abdomen and then they'd tear you out of the operating room and call you Jack the Ripper. HEH... those were the days.

Like the other responders I never really got past a single surgery sucessfully... in a way one could say that it was a flawed game. It was too difficult (or realistic) for a normal person to want to learn how to play it. Perhaps a medical student might benefit from it, but certainly an average joe would not learn how to successfully perform an ependectomy from playing the game (furthermore would you WANT people thinking that they had learned that?).

Terry Pratchett fans?

[Eevee]

D.M. Dinwiddie, Physician-In-Training?

It's a curious name for a game, considering that the Bursar's name is Dr. A. A. Dinwiddie, D.M. (7th).* So close, yet just far enough away.

----------------

* And my name is Dr. A. A. Dinwiddie, D.M. (7th), D.Thau., B.Occ., M.Coll., B.F. That's Dinwiddie with an 'O'.

Re:Stupid implementation... Not!

[Neuticle]

The good samaritan rule does still apply, but there are provisions:
I'm fairly sure you have to try and get the person to professional care. If you have the chance to call 911 etc. and you don't, and consequently EMS never shows up--->person dies, you might be in for a lawsuit, since you failed to do the obvious.
The Big One though, is don't do anything beyond your training. If you scew up something you shouldn't have been doing in the first place (E.G. Joe 6-pack tries to intubate), you'll be a hunk of meat in the lawyer shark-tank.

Unfortunatly, even though the good samaritan rule still applies, there are so many blood sucking personal injury lawyers out there that lawsuits are practically the rule instead of the exception.

CPR in Sierra's "Codename: Iceman"

[motown]

That's funny. In "Codename: Iceman", one of Sierra's lesser known SCI adventure games, one of the first things you need to do is apply CPR on a girl that almost drowned. If I'm not mistaken, this was actually some sort of copy protection, since the procedure involved a sequence of commands that no one would have figured out without consulting the walkthrough in the manual included with the game.