About the EVOKE game
EVOKE is a ten-week crash course in changing the world.
It is free to play and open to anyone, anywhere.
The goal of the social network game is to help empower young people all over the world, and especially young people in Africa, to come up with creative solutions to our most urgent social problems.
The game begins on March 3, 2010. Players can join the game at any time.
On May 12th, 2010 the first season of the game will end, and successful participants will form the first graduating class of the EVOKE network.
Players who successfully complete 10 game challenges will be able to claim their honors: Certified EVOKE Social Innovator – Class of 2010.
Top players will also earn online mentorships with experienced social innovators and business leaders from around the world, seed funding for new ventures, and travel scholarships to share their vision for the future at the EVOKE Summit in Washington DC. (Learn more about these rewards.)
EVOKE was developed by the World Bank Institute, the learning and knowledge arm of the World Bank Group, and directed by alternate reality game master Jane McGonigal.
EVOKE is for all ages; recommended age 13 and up.
LEARN HOW TO PLAY:
Learn the five secrets of the EVOKE Network.
Plus: Find out how to play the game from a mobile phone.
Press inquiries: Contact evokenet@gmail.com
CREDITS
Produced by the World Bank Institute
With funding from Infodev and the Korean Trust Fund on ICT for Development
EVOKE Lead Team
Executive Producer: Robert Hawkins
Creative Director/Game Design: Jane McGonigal
Story Director/Producer: Kiyash Monsef
Technology Lead: Nathan Verrill
Community Lead: Ken Eklund
South Africa Outreach Lead: Thiru Naidoo-Swettenham
EVOKE – The Graphic Novel
Writer: Kiyash Monsef
Artist: Jacob Glaser
Editors: Jane McGonigal and Robert Hawkins
Colorist, episodes 1, 2: Jacob Glaser
Colorist, episodes 3-9: Anthony Deicidue
EVOKE – The Network
Design & Development: Natron Baxter Applied Gaming
Project Lead: Nathan Verrill
Art Director: Matthew Jensen
Designers: RJ Dugan, Nichole Payne
Application Architect: Keith Turner
Application Developers: David Flor, Nathaniel Fruchter, Lauren Soffer
User Interface Programmer: Ben Smith
Facebook Page Producer: Lauren Soffer
Platform: Ning
Game Runners
Batandwa Alperstein
Nathaniel Fruchter
Chelsea Howe
Joshua Judkins
Ronald Kasendwa
Lauren Soffer
Mita Williams
Calida DeBello played by Ken Eklund
Mentors
Yemisi Ajumobi
Gene Becker
Simon Brookes
Evonne Heyning
EVOKE – The videos
Produced by Kiyash Monsef
Motion graphics by Nik Braatz
Music powered by Jamendo
“Through the Shadow and the Light (feat Fahrenheit)” by DJ Fab
Africa partnership outreach and marketing
Sarah Cairns
Titi Akinsanmi
Student Village
Academic and Content Advisors
Geoff Kirkman — Brown University
Robert Venter — Witswatersrand University
Bridget Evans — Heart: Social Investments for Life
Daniel Day — QCF Design
Marc Luck — QCF Design
Cool Idea! But Is there are recommended appropriate age range for players? I don’t see one listed. Pre-teen; teen; Ugrad?
I want to sign up to play the game. I am pumped up.
Wondering the level of literacy involved for these games – I’m an Englsh teacher who works with year 10 and 11 in the UK (ages 14-16) and this might be really good for them. However, unsure if the tasks/required level of interaction is too high for them? Please email me with more info as very interested.
Thanks
Paul
Although we suspect most players will be university age, age 13+ is perfect for this game.
Hello, my name is Robert Lewis, I work for the Department of State. The family I have been posted to the Embassies in Athens Greece and Addis Ababa Ethiopia. This summer we are going to Djibouti, Djibouti. Spent the last 6 weeks assisting the Haiti Task Force while on leave. Cant wait to play, evoke should be fun.
http://www.seacom.mu/videos/videoDocumentary.html
http://www.terremark.com/datacenters/ncrmovie.aspx
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/tech/2009/02/19/finighan.spain.emerging.markets.cnn
http://www.miga.org/
I was also wondering about a suitable age for gamers. I run a scout troop in Cape Town, and scouting includes environmental issues and their social impact in its programme. some of the ‘badges’ you get in scouts recognise the same kind of skills you’re trying to develop here. My scouts range in age from 11 to 17 years so I’m wondering if they could get together and participate in this game. What do you advise?
Aaaahhhh ! This is really great to see the Evoke Idea. Nowadays every thing is coming into gaming zone and I was only away because I dont like the simple and good for nothing games. Evoke has encouraged me to play for my professional skills. Simply I love to be part of Evoke.
Happy begninng to All and see you there !
Hi, Iam a midwife in Ghana and wants to know the comfirmation age for this game. Otherwise I will want to try my hands. Hope we will all enjoy EVOKE for the better proffessional skills that i would need for my work and MDG’s. I greatly want to be part of the game
EVOKE is open to anyone, anywhere, of all ages — we recommend the game to ages 13 and up.
It says open to anyone anywhere?
Hello team Evoke, just found out about your super-rad project!
I’m currently at the 2010 Social Enterprise Conference put on by Harvard Business School & Harvard Kennedy School participating in the ‘Pitch for Change’ competition and one of the other attendees mentioned Evoke. So cool!
The start-up social gaming company I co-founded (The Good Game) is developing offerings in the same space and we wish you great success in the launch of Evoke! We’ll be playing with the rest of the world starting on March 3rd.
Peace and prosperity,
Xander Page and The Good Game team
In language class for the next 17 weeks. Language classes are always tough on tech guys. I am living for Wednesday. Chow
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25504500/#26140671
http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml
http://www.gsmworld.com/documents/m-pesa_case_study.pdf
http://www.inmarsat.com/Services/Maritime/Ships_Directory/default.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False
http://www.inmarsat.com/Services/Land/BGAN/Video.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False
http://www.kidon.com/media-link/index.php
As a 21 year old South African student and Allan Gray Orbis entrepreneurial fellow im very excited to see how this game unfolds!
The networking opportunities, online mentorships, seed funding and travel scholarships are incredible incentives to budget time to engage with this online problem solving,
however one also gets the feeling that one has stumbled across something very new and important
Hello, I have 3 questions.
1) Is there any privacy policy for the use of our information? I don’t see anything posted on your website. The signup page requires a personal email address and date of birth, and I’m wondering if that information will ever be shared with 3rd parties.
2) Why do you need our date of birth? What is this information used for?
Thank you,
–Mark
Hello Mark,
Our privacy policy can be found in the bottom navigation bar on the home page throughout the site; here is the link: http://www.urgentevoke.com/main/authorization/privacyPolicy?previousUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.urgentevoke.com%2F
The date of birth is used to verify age; EVOKE is recommended for ages 13 and up.
It is not shared with anyone without your permission. You can adjust privacy settings in your SETTINGS page.
Hello, my membership has been pending for a number of days and March 3rd is approaching fast, can you please advise? Thanks!
All agents will be approved for training starting March 3.
Hello everyone! I am happy to see that everyone seems to be just as pumped up as I am. i have imagining a game of this sort for quite a long time because all of the others I have heard of just seem so out there but this one sounds like it can be very useful. Thanks for the motivation!
Cheers.
I was attempting to sign up but in the “create your profile” step, when you ask for the full name, there was no space to write it. Everything else in that step worked nicely, except for that, and now I cannot sign up.
How can I sign up if that is not working?
Thank you for alerting us to this bug, it has been fixed and the sign-up process is running smoothly again.
Thanks you very much!
Oh my gosh! I cant wait for it to start
Oh my gosh! I cant sleep.
I’m so pumped up.
This is so cool.
Greetings
it is an honour to take part in this initiative and thank you for providing a platform.
Should be empowering, let me try!!
I sent an email blast to my students and their parents (380 student middle school) announcing I will host a ten-week club in the cyber_lounge (my classroom). First 50 get in (of course I won’t turn anyone away). The response has been fast, furious and wonderful. Look for the group Dragon Evokes to come up with some interesting ideas, as these 12-14 year old people have a thought or two about how the world can be better.
Then, as I spent a day in airports and planes heading to CUE (Computer Using Educators) I spread the word by conversation. This is going to go big fast. Had a chance to talk with, among others, one of the developers at Microsoft involved in Web 2.0, his eyes lit up, and a PLC on the web advocate, who immediately logged in and offered to feature Evoke in his talk Thursday. Needless to say, since I’m talking about game design by students, I will be featuring it in my Saturday talk. JMcG probably won’t remember, but her positive response to my email when I was developing the talk inspired me no end.
This is very, very exciting, and how games can change the world.
I must be lost because this web site is going no where..where is the episode they talk about. i don’t see any links and when i try to navigate around is just feels to me like another facebook with a different angle and look.
please help…
The episode is the seven-page graphic novel on the home page of the network. Use the red arrows to navigate the story. Each week, a new episode appears on the home page to continue the story of the EVOKE network…
Your effort in spreading the word about the EVOKE network is tremendously appreciated. We will look forward to Team Dragon Evokes, I will keep a close eye out for their missions and quests.
Congratulations on a wonderful serious game that is coming at precisely the right time. As social innovator, investor and social engineer in Cape Town, South Africa I am excited to see where we are going. The educational benefits are enormous.
Our own goals to use serious gaming in South Africa in a variety of communities has just been made so much easier.
We also get so many intern requests at Uthango, so I know the concept of mentorship is a winner from the get go!
Director
Uthango Social Investments
~using Alanagh Recreant (Second Life username) ~ as secret agent in this important mission!
This is BRILLIANT! But we need to spread the word to use all the power of social networks.
Hi,
I’m trying to figure out how to be a mentor.
Problem: when I search for agents in South Africa, the result comes back as “none”, though I can see that there are some by scrolling through the list! I just want to see them all at once, and then to see which are female. No luck! When I did the same search a while ago, I got results. I think you have a bug.
Question: you speak of Mentor “missions”, but none are defined as such. Do you just mean “befriend and interact with select agents”?
Sorry if I’m thick, but I’m not a gamer, and am on a learning curve here.
“our most urgent social problems.”
According to whom? Who is defining the “social problems” that are “most urgent?”
Funny that I can’t find a listing of exactly what these people view as “social problems.” This tells me they are sandbagging them, and don’t want people to know until the indoctrination is well under way.
I get the feeling that no matter the problem, Marxism is the answer in these people’s minds. All the worlds problems will be solved by simply taking wealth from the producers and redistributing it to the “oppressed masses.”
Great visuals and fantastic concept. I am teaching at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. Are you going to have a Spanish version of this available? – as it would be great to use with my students.
PS I think you could make the route to registering a litle simpler, unless this is seen is a part of the challenge
PSS Have not been able to upload my photo. Is this a bug?
PSSS Have now worked out how to upload photo!
My 3 favorite songs for this EVOKE are listed below. I think that deep down inside we all know WHO the EVOKE network will eventually SERVE. When your Government(s) can’t or won’t solve your problem(s) use the EVOKE network:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo2Aypi0R2c
For all those individuals out of work in the West…. I am afraid to say you can almost use the phrase once upon a time in the West; because money and power are being transferred East:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDM6v1XhWEg
Please feel free to comment, chow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9pYU-fa18
[...] Bank Institute, com fundos da Infodev e do Korean Trust Fund, o curso “Evoke” (http://blog.urgentevoke.net/2010/01/27/about-the-evoke-game/) traz esta proposta inovadora e gratuita, com duração de 10 semanas. Neste game learning, 10 [...]
‘am plunging in…!
Does anyone know how to get credit for the evidence you blog. The site says it will check within 24 hrs, but my blogs have been up for days without, apparently, being noticed. Does anyone know how to contact the Evoke people?
[...] about page for Urgent Evoke states The goal of the social network game is to help empower young people all [...]
Hi Nina,
From the agents page, you can do an advanced search by country. There was a small bug a few days ago but is fixed now.
Hi Paul,
We would love to run a version in Spanish next year. We will evaluate this first offering and then determine next steps for 2011.
What specifically could be simplified in registration process?
Hi Bill,
We have a new process for logging evidence. See http://www.urgentevoke.com/forum/topics/get-credit-for-your-completed
Please let us know if you have any questions. See also the forum for help — http://www.urgentevoke.com/forum/topics/get-credit-for-your-completed
Finally! Yey! Something invigorating (as well as constructive) to busy myself with. I’m so in
This is awesome. I wish more were on it. I’m surprised Mashable hasn’t tweeted about it. We should all promote it more on Tw, and Fb.
The concept of this social game is very interesting however the actual game play and user experience has been rather poor considering its international reach.
The World Bank could have spent a little more time and effort developing the navigation and flow of the game prior to its release. In its current state, it is rather sub-par in relations to the topic they’re trying to promote.
Nonetheless, the potential of this game to change our World far exceeds these basic errors. Therefore, I will continue to do my part by overlooking these design flaws while contributing to the primary objective: Saving the World!
Dear,
Since last couple of hours my ID email address is not being accepted by the Network and message comes
There was a problem signing in
There is no account with the email address brain8work@yahoo.com.
Click here to sign up or sign in below with a different email address.
Infact I am agent on Evoke since long with name NANGAR SOOMRO, I dont know what is happening there…… why there is problem in signing in.
PLEASE HELP ME !
Dear All,
PLEASE HELP ME…… I M UN ABLE TO SIGN IN MY ACCOUNT
Since last couple of hours my ID email address is not being accepted by the Network and message comes
There was a problem signing in
There is no account with the email address brain8work@yahoo.com.
Click here to sign up or sign in below with a different email address.
Infact I am agent on Evoke since long with name NANGAR SOOMRO, I dont know what is happening there…… why there is problem in signing in.
PLEASE HELP ME !
Someone had mentioned on the EVOKE blog that there are International ramifications for what the Evoke group is simulating in this exercise. That’s a correct statement. There has to be MOU’s (Memorandum of Understanding) between the EVOKE organization and the various countries it will help thru any given crisis. We couldn’t do anything in Haiti until the Government granted authorization. When a statement is made like, “Eureka claimed the Docks”, that’s an important piece. Governmental organizations would have to give EVOKE the permission to use the countries dock to off load the ships. Food stuffs have to clear customs be inspected and distributed to local markets. Port Authorities have to know in advance which ships are coming in and when so cargo can be offloaded and distributed to the end users. The best case (least expensive) scenario would be for Japans merchant marine vessels to bring the trees/vegetation back from Africa. Worst case (most expensive) scenario would be freight forwarders contracting vessels to transport produce/vegetation to the Harbor of Tokyo! Too many moving pieces there, insuring the cargo from Somali Pirates (Lloyds), duty-taxation (Japanese Tax authority), fueling the vessels for the voyage (Saudi Arabia) etc… The ships necessary for this type of work are huge. Most of these vessels are meant to transport expeditionary combat units to and from the OIL/battle fields…but what the heck I guess they could be used to prevent a global catastrophe. The air bridge can only be used for so long. The C-5 and Antonov are large aircraft and can meet the needs of a rapid resupply of items like seeds. Heavy cargo items like trees, shown in the cartoon have to be brought in on ships. Now I know why the following statement in the BIBLE is so important:
Revelation 8:9 (Amplified Bible)
9 And a third of the sea was turned to blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea perished, and a third of the ships were destroyed
That will have a devastating financial impact on global trade and commerce. Chow
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/tak-3008.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/tak-3008-gallery.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/tak-3008-schem.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/tak-3015-gallery.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/tak-3015-specs.htm
http://www.allthingsbeautiful.com/all_things_beautiful/images/WaPo_Feb27_PortGraphic.gif
http://www.sandia.gov/nisac/images/port_flow_lg.jpg
http://www.biblegateway.com
Can Shah write a script that will the individual to type his or her name in the search bar and see all the articles they have written. I suggested this a couple months back were I work. Its a great script, you and see everything you are someones has written. Thank you for your time and have a great.
[...] World Bank Institute has created an interactive social network game, EVOKE, for young people–particularly those in Africa–to learn about the world’s most [...]
What about a spanish translation and or game version?.
I have not even star but dont see anything in spanish, nowhere to change the language in the front page, no any prior info in spanish.
Im spanish but also i wonder about chinese……
[...] “Top players will also earn online mentorships with experienced social innovators and business leaders from around the world, and scholarships to share their vision for the future at the EVOKE Summit in Washington DC“. (Evoke Blog) [...]
[...] Off and CryptoZoo — but Urgent Evoke is surely her most ambitious project on Ning to date. So what is it? EVOKE is a ten-week crash course in changing the [...]
[...] Off and CryptoZoo — but Urgent Evoke is surely her most ambitious project on Ning to date. So what is it? EVOKE is a ten-week crash course in changing the [...]
Alchemy, help me please… while I was jogging this evening a chilling thought entered my mind. Ever since I saw the trailer for EVOKE I have often wondered who might have the clout to pull something like this off. I mean the real Alchemy would have to be a person of some standing. Not a novice in the political arena and an idealist; driven by a, “yes we can attitude’! EVOKE would have to setup in an African country with access to a port and high speed internet. Alternative banking/money transfer/remittance transmission techniques would have to be implemented and functional. The real Alchemy would have family in the part of Africa where he resided. At the end of episode two we see a EVOKE agent boarding a flight to Nairobi. Alchemy my hands are shaking….. The only person I can think of who fits that description is Ba….. Sir I can’t even type the rest of his name! The series 24 prepared the American public to accept the enhanced interrogation techniques used at GITMO, its first African American President and its soon to be first Woman President. Please don’t underestimate the media. Where are the players from the last administration, W- 43 and the rest of the PNAC crew? Was this there plan for the new American Century? Alchemy please tell me I am just paranoid and that EVOKE is just a game. These are just hypothetical events; they couldn’t come to pass could they?? If you can’t put my mind at ease this will be my last EVOKE!
PS: I swear the police helicopter hovered over me last night and took FLIR video. The helicopters are always looking for people in my upper middle class neighborhood. As the economy declines the crime rate raises.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/virginia/va-man-accused-of-shining-laser-at-helicopter-031610
Alternative banking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-Pesa
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/tech/2009/02/19/finighan.spain.emerging.markets.cnn
High speed internet (enlarge schematic): http://www.seacom.mu/network/kenya.html
http://www.seacom.mu/videos/videoDocumentary.html
Cellphone Coverage: http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml
The most reliable source of information on the Web: http://www.covertradioshow.com/
Paranoid: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNAC
Power shift: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLk4lipVWes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ55mV0S9p8&feature=PlayList&p=E946B4DCF048BCFD&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0w1PB9hzzo
Hi Guys,
I would like to CHANGE my USER NAME, But I dont know how !
Can you please PM me withi the nstructions /advice
ANY help would be greatly appreciated.
The following tools can be used to assist EVOKE Agents world wide. Thank you for your time.
http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/
http://www.kidon.com/media-link/index.php
How would the game go with English as a second language kids?
I’m working in an Indigenous community in Australia where many of the social issues that the game is exploring are relevant, and i think it would be great to have some of the kids 13+ here involved, however theirEnglish Language and Literacy is fairly low.
[...] description of the game is here, and it’s pretty interesting. The game is organised a number of tasks such as this [...]
Amazing concept and an ingenious way to utilize the world of gamers as a resource. I’m a gamer and I believe we as gamers can change the world using the same concepts that we use to change the virtual worlds of games. Keep up the good work!!!
This game is very educational. I left with more conscious of the destruction we have brought on to our enviornment. I also learned some ways we can solve this problem. This activity motivates you to make changes.
[...] McGonigal’s outlook on gaming and how it can make us better people! Evoke is her new social online game aimed at making us better people and solving real world [...]
Got to get my run in for today, but I had to get this out.
http://www.unfoundation.org/
http://www.undispatch.com/node/9651
http://www.unfoundation.org/your-role/partners/organization/summit-on-the-summit.html
cool stuff for mission/Episode 4
I am curious. If I am starting the game late and I can work on the missions. Does this still include me in the contest? Thank you.
[...] Posted by Paul Allison on April 4th, 2010 Students and Teachers Finding our Missions on Evoke: Rachel Smith and Robin – TTT 192 – 03.17.10 [56:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download podPressPlayerToLoad('podPressPlayerSpace_249', 'mp3Player_249_0', '300:30', 'http%3A%2F%2Fedtechtalk.com%2Faudio%2Fdownload%2F4724%2FTeachers192-2010-03-17.mp3'); Robin is playing Evoke, and on this podcast he tells us why. Robin is in Paul Allison’s English class. He’s a tenth Grader at the East-West School for International Studies, and on this episode of Teachers Teaching Teachers, Robin talks about his experiences in the first couple of weeks of playing Evoke. [...]
[...] | How to play | About A sample comic from one of the episodes: Comments RSS [...]
Hey,
as I didn’t know where to post this, most of the powervotes on my videos aren’t counted in? How can I reach an admin or so?
greetz,
Kenneth
I have been trying for quite some time to post a blog note and there is a glitch that won’t permit me. It freezes up when it asks me to type in the identification words. I have tried everything. Could someone look into this? There doesn’t seem to be a help page anywhere on this site.
Who are the GAME MASTERS? Every “rpg like” games with quests and such should have game masters. If they exist how can we contact them?
Hi,
Some friends and I want to sign up today but just read that the first season ends May 12.
Will there be a season 2? Does it make sense to sign up now? or is it too late.
Thanks
Antonio
Hi,
I would love to change our world in the future, where can I get started?
Thanks,
Yi Mei
[...] http://blog.urgentevoke.net/2010/01/27/about-the-evoke-game/ [...]
Hello, you have one more day to complete a mission, it’s never too late! Concentrate on the first one.
Bryhnn there is a help link at the bottom of the page now try that.
Kenneth check the EVIDENCE LOG drop-down box, there’s an ‘undefined’ category, you’ll find posts in there that haven’t been assigned by you yet, go back and make sure you have the right tags too.
Hope this helps everyone, remember…. It’s never too late!
DUMELANG KOE… ( that’s me greeting you in seTswana) all the way from the S.O.A ( south of azania) Mzantsi 2010 energy everybody is feeling it. there is so much happening i jus got introduced hope to go for the top coz we LIONS DO NOT COME TO BOW WE COME TO CONQUER. yeah besides that this initiative here is what most of the need it is just a pity that only a certain minority can get their hands on it hence why i decidede on being entrepreneurs for the BETTER ‘O’ S.O.A and above like i said me i am going for the TOP!!
When do we get our Certificates emailed to us??
Check out this dark site
http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931/
When will season 2 start?
Hi there,
I’m a Life Sciences and Social Sciences teacher in South Africa and have just heard about this excellent game – as a serious rp gamer I think think has massive potential as a learning tool to extend the curriculum; and so would like to know about a starting date for season 2 of 2010. Please could you post a reply asap so that we can get the ball rolling (I have 30 very enthusiastic learners who are dying to take part)
Many Thanks
Cherry
Your blogposts are consistently really good. Kudos.
The fun starts again in early 2011…. in the meantime, I will drop you a line and we can chat about getting students involved in EVOKING!