Serious Games Interactive has released the latest title in its Global Conflicts series of PC games that promote awareness of social issues. Global Conflicts: Sweatshops is a 3D role-playing simulation game that focuses on child labor issues in Bangladesh.

Players control a representative of European Leatherwear Industries called to Bangladesh to investigate an alleged case of child labor. The sweatshop is located in a local tannery that produces clothing for the character's employer.

Successful completion of the game involves uncovering proof of child labor activity, then forming a solution that balances the interests of the player's company, the tannery, and the well-being of the children involved in the production of clothing.

"The level of awareness on the issue of child labour and laws prohibiting it is still low in some countries," said Mikkel Lucas Overby, commercial director at SGI. "Society in general has a rather indifferent attitude towards the problem. Our main goal with this game is to raise awareness about the problem and encourage social chance through game-based education."

Serious Games Interactive notes that 4.9 million children between 5 and 14 years old are working in sweatshops in Bangladesh. Much of the game's narrative content is based on real-life personal accounts.

By Danny Cowan
November 18, 2009 03:54:00 PM PT