EVOKE trailer (a new online game) from Alchemy on Vimeo.
The World Bank, working with ARG master Jane McGonigal, have launched a new online game called "Urgent Evoke" that's geared toward getting young people — particularly African young people — to come up with creative solutions to the worst of the world's social ills. It looks like a neat combination of social media, social networking, alternative reality gaming, and real world concerns that hopefully with reach a new generation of community leaders, activists and social entrepreneurs.
The Evoke "social network game" will issue weekly "Missions" to the players that challenge them to learn about a particular "world-changing skill," practice it in their community, and then give evidence that you completed the mission by blogging, taking a video or a picture. Complete enough "Evokes" and you might win the chance to travel to Washington DC for the Evoke Summit.
There's even a version for players who want to play via SMS on their cell phones, which will be key if they want to spur youth engagement in Africa.