Programmeville
Nicola Mawson
Adobe is perhaps better known for its brilliant graphic programmes such as Photo Shop, but the company has also created an online game, called Programmeville.

The theory behind the game is to teach people about Adobe’s range of products, as well as encourage the use of legal software. It’s a novel concept, and a far better one than the usual propaganda tactics employed by software companies.

Another benefit is that the game is actually fun, if not too challenging. But this way it will appeal to younger PC users too. It can be found – and played – online at www.programmeville.com.
The concept is that all is not well in Programmeville, because virus bugs are running rampant everywhere and programme files have gone missing.

Vic is the avatar that you use to find the missing software. On level one, there are five Adobe icons representing the different types of software such as Reader, Photo Shop, and Flash, which need to be found.

Vic needs to perform different tasks in each of the buildings in which the software has been hidden, and he is moved around by using keyboard arrows. To get Vic to perform an action, hit the spacebar.
There are two levels, and level one is obviously easier. For some reason, I couldn’t play level two because the game kept freezing up.

As you get to a building, the ‘folder’ representing it opens up to a graphic of the building, and once you can enter, a dialogue box appears telling you to push the space bar. In the library on level one – one of six buildings on the level – you need to first get a library card.

To do this, you need to register, but this also allows you to leave the game and come back another time. I haven’t had any spam from registering.
Once inside, the plan is to kill the viruses by using the space bar, and collect diamonds to boost your power levels. Watch out for the viruses, they can be quite sneaky and creep up on you. Also, you need to have the right angle to throw three-sided Frisbees at them, before they take away your power.
Every time you find some software, there is a little blurb about what it does, and a warning about using counterfeit software.

There are five venues on the first level: the mall, the library, cinema, gallery and diner. Some require a bit of thought, others are straightforward.

As an anti-piracy initiative, I found the game to be a great educational game for kids, and something that will keep adults busy for a while too. It is, however, not the sort of game that can be played over and over again.