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FEMA and DHS Fund Disaster Hero Game

Posted by Soulskill on from the fifty-bonus-points-for-each-liquor-store-you-loot dept.

eldavojohn writes "The United States government has decided that children need a video game to learn about what to do before, during, and after an emergency or hazardous event. Collect an emergency kit! Create an emergency plan! Be informed of what to do! Suffer from heat exhaustion inside the Superdome! ... Wait, what? Oh, I guess FEMA omitted that last one. Disaster Hero is coming in 2011 — plenty of time before 2012."

48 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. From the people who brought you House, M.D. the ga by Wrexs0ul · · Score: 2, Insightful

    When disaster strikes, solve problems on your own and belittle those around you!

    Actually, educational games are great. Number munchers changed my life: multiply or die.

    -Matt

    --
    --- Need web hosting?
  2. I'm not sure,, by Higaran · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This is either the best idea ever for a video game, or the worst. I guess it depends on how the game is gonna come out, personally I'm leaning toward the latter, but if it even teaches a few people how to save their own lives then I guess it's a good idea. Hey at least you'll learn something other than how to kill aliens and zombies, or alien zombies. No that doesn't sound right how about zombie aliens, or aliombies, or zombliens. Yea that's it I like that one the best, zombliens, i.e. the flood.

    1. Re:I'm not sure,, by somersault · · Score: 1

      Damnit, where do I train what to do if we're overrun with zombaliens? I already know how to survive after a disaster from playing Fallout 3!

      --
      which is totally what she said
    2. Re:I'm not sure,, by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      It's only the best if it has dialogue as cheesy as Disaster: Day of Crisis.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  3. But... by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    Does it tell you how to survive attack by a horde of hungry zombies?

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    1. Re:But... by DocSavage64109 · · Score: 1

      Also try http://www.killingfloorthegame.com/Killing Floor on http://store.steampowered.com/app/1250/Steam. I've spent way too much time preparing for the apocalypse, but I consider it an investment.

    2. Re:But... by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      If it doesn't, then why is FEMA in league with the undead?

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  4. Burning through taxpayer cash? by SweeBeeps · · Score: 1

    This strikes me as something they could develop in flash for 1/100000th of the budget and get the same point across seeing as you have to wonder how interested anyone would be.

    1. Re:Burning through taxpayer cash? by SweeBeeps · · Score: 1

      FEMA had bigger PR issues to deal with, and I would guess they still do. If they money can't go to the people who need it why not blow it on a game? They'll have something better than minesweeper to play at their desks now!

  5. We already know what to do by outsider007 · · Score: 1

    But we loot anyway.

    --
    If you mod me down the terrorists will have won
  6. Red Dawn Redemption by Phoenixlol · · Score: 1

    Sounds like a great idea for a game, actually. Assuming there's a "Survive Russian Invasion" mode and/or or "Zombie Apocalypse".

    1. Re:Red Dawn Redemption by f8l_0e · · Score: 1

      Assuming there's a "Survive Russian Invasion" mode

      I suggest that you try Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 2. One of the scenarios is called Wolverines! for just that reason.

  7. Test it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Obama needs to know what to do during and after an emergency. It's obvious that at present he hasn't a fucking clue.

    And sorry, threatening to kick BP's ass doesn't count.

    1. Re:Test it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Obama needs to know what to do during and after an emergency. It's obvious that at present he hasn't a fucking clue.

      And sorry, threatening to kick BP's ass doesn't count.

      And what do you suggest he does?

    2. Re:Test it! by dunezone · · Score: 1

      There were no plans in place for something like this because something like this was never suppose to happen. This isn't Obama demonstrating that he cant act in an emergency this was a scenario that was supposed to be prevented.

      Unfortunately it appears that BP cut a lot of corners with required prevention methods. And the only thing that will stop the oil flow is a relief well and we don't require those to be drilled at the same time as the primary well.

    3. Re:Test it! by Javit · · Score: 1

      FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT!

      FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT!

      (all while not using too many caps, Mr. Obama. We have a lameness filter to avoid, here.)

      --
      Support NRA, America's oldest civil rights group.
    4. Re:Test it! by Danse · · Score: 1

      I'm not going to bother responding to the retarded troll post above, but I thought this would be an appropriate place to note that this is yet another example of why it is very bad to let an industry co-opt or corrupt its regulators. Until we come up with a workable solution for regulatory capture, we're going to keep seeing crap like this and all those banking scandals that nobody could be bothered to seriously investigate. How can the government regulate them when they're simultaneously depending on those industries to write the regulations, and even to help enforce them?

      --
      It's not enough to bash in heads, you've got to bash in minds. - Captain Hammer
  8. Competitive or not? by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 2, Informative

    There are tons of web-based games out there, aimed at little kids. The best ones manage to integrate some form of competitive nature. I remember way back in the day, when I was a young'n, there was this little site called neopets.

    Some of you might be familiar with this child-attracting monstrosity. It is full of minigames which give them points which they can spend on a variety of stuff. Stuff for your Neopet, as your Neopet is kind of like your avatar, or about as close as you're going to get. I find that they did well in attracting to the "Cool & Cute", the two fields that attract younger kids, however in retaining their audience that had to make it fun enough to keep playing. The best way to do this is to make it competitive with other players.

    You could open a shop, and little kids would start playing the market like the stock market (despite neopets actually having its own built in stock market) - kids would understand the investment skills of buy low sell high. There was also a combat arena where you could face off your neopet against other people's neopets. A leveling system I can't remember, weapons, gear, all that stuff.

    I'm sure its still like that somehow today, but thats about all I remember.

    So, if there is any tip I can give to anyone making a web-game for kids: it's appeal to that social interaction and competitiveness that keeps kids playing webgames, keeps jocks playing football, and keeps nerds playing WoW.

    1. Re:Competitive or not? by Blakey+Rat · · Score: 1

      So, if there is any tip I can give to anyone making a web-game for kids: it's appeal to that social interaction and competitiveness that keeps kids playing webgames, keeps jocks playing football, and keeps nerds playing WoW.

      And rip-off Pokemon! Oh wait...

      --
      Comment of the year
  9. Wait! Didn't Betheda do that already? by sammyF70 · · Score: 1

    I thought that was the point Fallout3 ... Something about "politicians are evil robots and only weird radio jocks with stupid names should be trusted", along with "if you can loot it and you don't get shot then it's yours" and "shoot first, check to see if it was a mutant later". Damn .. I learned so much from that game ...

    --
    "DRM is like the Ford Pinto: it's a smooth ride, right up the point at which it explodes and ruins your day."-C.Doctorow
    1. Re:Wait! Didn't Betheda do that already? by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 1

      It's not cute and cuddly and aimed towards kids though.

  10. I want to be... by pinkj · · Score: 1

    I want to Michael Brown! "Get me out of this!"

  11. I hope it's better then that real bad firefighter by Joe+The+Dragon · · Score: 1

    I hope it's better then that real bad firefighter pc game that came out around 9/11

  12. A web based game..... sounds dumb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I don't know, I would lean towards a game that played out a scenario MMORPG style. The game would be first person a-la Quake/America's army. You run around the map doing things, collecting gear, maybe doing home improvements that would keep you safe in an emergency (locking down your water heater here in Southern California for example). Then at random intervals a disaster strikes and your forced to deal with the situations that you weren't prepared for.

    Then after so much time after the disaster, the game resets and starts all over.

    Think Urban Terror - America's Army - and maybe some type of sim rolled into one.

  13. Bad idea by Improv · · Score: 1

    Teaching kids to wear highly electric pants (as the pictured hero seems to) in a flood seems unwise.

    --
    For every problem, there is at least one solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.
  14. Zombie apocalypse by h4rr4r · · Score: 1

    Sure I have had folks make fun of my Zombie Apocalypse survival stuff, but when the power was out for a week due to ice storms I was ready. If you cannot survive without power for a week in your own home you are doing something wrong, excluding those with medical conditions who really should have generators and an UPS.

  15. A map of Candyland is nice, by abbynormal+brain · · Score: 1

    gives you high-level general knowledge, and it might even teach you something useful, but do more research and besides the standard bug-out-bags, water and stuff - - consider:

    - Paper towels
    - Boots that shit washes off easily from
    - Rags and more paper towels
    - Alcohol (the rubbing and drinking kinds)
    - Firearm (I know ... but were you in Katrina after the floods. and if you were, were you in the neighborhoods I was in? Hunger can be a deadly force)
    - Paper towels
    - Cash (cash and more cash, and make it look like you only had a little while you safely keep the rest hidden)
    - Jewelery (put some on, fake or low cost - expect it to be taken - but have something they can take or they'll think you're hiding more - which you should be)
    - Did I mention paper towels and rubbing alcohol?

    --
    L'esperienza de questa dolce vita (The experience of this sweet life) - Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy
    1. Re:A map of Candyland is nice, by mjwx · · Score: 1

      - Firearm (I know ... but were you in Katrina after the floods. and if you were, were you in the neighborhoods I was in? Hunger can be a deadly force)

      Good suggestion, really, really, really stupid reason.

      If you're ever lost in the bush (yes tourists, when in Australia you can get lost easily, you could drive for 6 hours at 100 KM/h and not encounter anything) a firearm is a very good method of getting attention, which is what you want when people are looking for you.

      But once again, you should feel ashamed at how stupid that reason was.

      - Cash
      - Jewelery

      Very stupid suggestion, you have no need for valuables what so ever in a survival situation. Swap for water, food, flares, hand held radio radio (one or two way), first aid kit, batteries, matches, lighter, petrol or other combustibles.

      I pity whoever gets stuck on a desert island with you.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    2. Re:A map of Candyland is nice, by abbynormal+brain · · Score: 1

      :D Like many thing on the net, we typically only respond with blinders on to a directed topic/question. The items you mentioned are definitely must-haves - but that's what I meant by a "bug out bag". As to survival in the environment: I have desert, cold weather, and ocean survival training.

      My point was in jest to highlight that, often, the simple things (such as paper towels) are left out.

      About the gun:
      I can't say for sure that you haven't been in a life threatening situation with armed people - but I have (three times). You may be comfortable with rolling the dice and placing your life in the hands of others - but I am not. This is not a I'm right you are wrong statement - but one that highlights the adage: I'd rather have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it. I've seen a very ugly side of people and I will always hope for the best in our encounters but plan for the worst.

      --
      L'esperienza de questa dolce vita (The experience of this sweet life) - Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy
  16. Let's hope people can die in this game by Culture20 · · Score: 4, Funny

    No, really, I mean it. Some friends of mine were hired to write a game for an Energy Cooperative. The intention of the game was to promote energy safety (electrical and natural gas). But when digging games (call before digging), replacing electrical outlets (turn off appropriate breaker first), ladder work, kite flying, and gas detection and avoidance were brought to the table, the Cooperative rep gasped and said no, no, no! No dying! No danger! No possibility of fear or we'll get sued! So the game turned into a cutesy ball of flaming gas that turned off gas valves (without igniting them somehow), and a socket plug that turned off lights around his house to save energy. Wow, safety. Big waste of the Co-op's money.

  17. Homepage laugh! by UninformedCoward · · Score: 1

    The fat green alien rapper on the right of the Disaster Hero page made me laugh. It may do the same for you, just saying. Bling!

  18. What?!? by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    I don't need no stinkin' video game to teach me how to rape and pillage!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  19. Surviving the zombie apocalypse? by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    There's an app for that!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  20. Two Words by falken0905 · · Score: 1

    DUCK and COVER!

  21. Re:I wonder what the controller's going to look li by ragefan · · Score: 1

    Its wallet shaped; the tighter you clench it, in order to avoid paying claims, the more points you earn.

  22. Disaster Hero by Tetsujin · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hope it is a first person shooter!!! I can't wait to go looting!!!

    No such luck, I'm afraid.

    What I can't figure out is how the hell I'm supposed to help flooding victims with a damn toy plastic guitar...

    --
    Bow-ties are cool.
    1. Re:Disaster Hero by Chih · · Score: 1

      Use it as an oar, it's super-effective!

      --
      For best results, avoid doing stupid things.
    2. Re:Disaster Hero by Eberlin · · Score: 1

      Simple, you just hit the button(s) that correspond to the terror alert level they announce on the ensuing telethon. If Kanye shows up, you can use star power.

    3. Re:Disaster Hero by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Heckuva job you're doing, Brownie!

    4. Re:Disaster Hero by wwphx · · Score: 1

      You really deserved being modded up for Funny for the Kanye and telethon lines.

      --
      When you sympathize with stupidity, you start thinking like an idiot.
  23. Only if they make it mandatory by ma1wrbu5tr · · Score: 1

    This should be Mandatory Curriculum for ALL elected officials and civil service personnel and the scores should be made public.

    --
    Why can't we go back to using jumpers to configure slot adapter cards? Why? I say!
  24. Altruism by frca · · Score: 1

    No game will teach the kids altruism which is probably the most important act in disaster situation: people sticking together and helping each other. It's good to count on the government and the army to bail you out but in the end people helping people will do more than any governement agencies can do.

  25. Already been made by kinthalas · · Score: 1

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/6/17/

    Hopefully this remake will cover the vital "keep people from stealing your umbrella" survival skills.

    1. Re:Already been made by dadelbunts · · Score: 1

      Those games are great fun actually, i have them both. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disaster_Report http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_Danger They may look stupid but are actually very very fun. Who knew avoiding hypothermia and dehydration could be so entertaining. I suggest anyone with a ps2 check them out.

  26. Re:Good Job FEMA by wiredlogic · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Large generators of the type used by hospitals run on diesel.

    --
    I am becoming gerund, destroyer of verbs.
  27. Disaster Hero + Sim City by sootman · · Score: 1

    Player 1: "Great job rebuilding the levee, guys."
    Player 2: "Look out--ALIENS!"

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  28. seriously, people by russlar · · Score: 1

    we get this, but we'll never have duke nukem forever?

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  29. Let me be the first to say... by DiEx-15 · · Score: 1

    ...after seeing the website for this game: "Why do I got a bad feeling about this?"