GOOGLE INTERLAND
We Joined Forces With Google To Create The Free, Interactive, Browser-Based Game, Interland. The Game Is The Focal Point Of A Program Called “Be Internet Awesome” Which Aims To Teach Children How To Be Safe And Responsible Online.
Interland Is Comprised Of Four Distinct Worlds Where Children Tackle Challenges, Puzzles And Games That Will Prepare Them To Be On Guard Against Internet Threats, Including Hackers, Cyberbullies And Phishers. Once Completed, The Children Will Have Been Taken On A Journey Through Five Key Messages:
Be Internet Smart: Share With Care
Be Internet Alert: Don’t Fall For Fake
Be Internet Strong: Secure Your Secrets
Be Internet Kind: It's Cool To Be Kind
Be Internet Brave: When In Doubt, Talk It Out
North Kingdom Worked In Close Collaboration With Google On The Project, Being Instrumental In Creating Every Aspect Of The Game From Conception And Design, To Story And Gameplay. Additionally, North Kingdom Supported Google In The Development Of The Game, Turning The Concepts, Stories And Designs Into A Playable Reality.
Describing The Challenges Involved, North Kingdom’s Tech Director, Daniel Isaakson, Says: “The Games Had To Be Casual, Fun And Playable Without Much Training And That Meant That We Had To Reduce The Concepts A Lot And Treat The Games As ‘Thought Starters’, Instead Of Trying To Explain Complex Problems In The Games. We Wanted The Games To Work Without Too Many Instructions Since We Know Most People, Including Children, Skip That And We Wanted To Reduce The Amount Of Text Since The Level Of Reading Can Differ. We Still Wanted Some Story Context For The Games To Point Out The Game Objective And We Chose To Use A Combination Of Text And Voice Over.”
Be Internet Awesome’ Also Consists Of A Large Resource Pack For Both Educators And Parents That Contains Activity Sheets And Lessons Plans, All Of Which Have Been Approved By The International Society For Technology In Education (ISTE). There Is Also A Host Of Other Assets That Will Help Drive The Message Home Over Time.
