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

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?

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

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. ;)

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..