Abu Dhabi: Using Emirati characters, in a UAE-themed world, a virtual game aims to instil good values in children after it was launched by the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
After customising a male or female character wearing either an Abaya or Kandoura that are available in different styles, users can navigate within a city full of Emirati monuments as they play the Smart Aqdar City game.
On the journey to collect dirham-coins, players are faced with challenges and are constantly encouraged to keep going as they explore mosques and other historical structures.
Throughout the different levels, information boxes constantly pop-up on the screen for users to read — thus shedding light on many UAE-centric details in addition to scientific facts and Islamic teachings.
Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said that the game aims to promote national, traditional, educational and health awareness while fighting crime.
“[Smart Aqdar City] transitions from using education as a tool of indoctrination to smart learning through self-discovery and actual active practices; in addition to increasing awareness on drug abuse and risks and the dangers of fireworks,” a statement by the MoI said..
Residents expressed amazement at the UAE authorities’ concern for children and their adoption of modern methods to influence youngsters in a positive way.
Positive user reviews
User reviews on the gaming application which has reached over 100,000 downloads on the Android playstore, were mainly positive.
“Great work, with a lot of effort put into it,” said one Smart City player, Eyad Khachan.
Likewise, Sawsan A., commented: “Awesome. I love it. Onwards ‘shabab’ (youth).”
Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-In-Chief of Dubai Police and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Khalifa Student Empowerment Programme, which worked on the game said: “The main goal was to design awareness-raising games that are compatible with different operating systems, different smart devices, as well as the Internet, social networking sites (Facebook) and computers (Windows and Macintosh). The game can be upgraded based on scenarios established in cooperation with the National Commission, which are aligned with the country’s objectives and the national programme. It also offers the possibility to add new levels, and is available in Arabic.”
The game is now available on the Apple iOS System’s Appstore and Android’s playstore on most smart devices.
