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A preventive and educational game by ESPACE Cote-Nord
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Original idea and production: ESPACE Cote-Nord
Creative direction and project management: Catherine Lemieux
Game design and mechanics: Jacques-Dominique Landry
Illustrations: Pishier
Design: Gabriel Pelletier (art direction and game design), Catherine Lemieux (rules and score sheet)
Game pieces: Ahmed Benhamadi (production and quality control), Catherine Lemieux (design)
Printing and assembly: Lakle
Explanatory video: Es-Tu Game?

Lead Designer

Design Company

http://espacecote-nord.org/ - https://catherine-lemieux.com

Profile Website

Project Website

Client

ESPACE Cote-Nord, Catherine Lemieux, Jacques-Dominique Landry, Pishier, Gabriel Pelletier, Ahmed Benhamadi, Es-Tu Game?

Design Team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCwAgVlHE-M

Video (direct link)

Challenge: Rethinking our prevention mission
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Preventing violence against children is a crucial mission that requires a fresh and engaging approach.

ESPACE Cote-Nord, a local nonprofit organization, is dedicated to raising awareness among children and adults about problematic and potentially violent situations. They provide concrete information and tools to empower individuals to act and prevent these acts of violence.

As an organization actively involved in schools within their region, ESPACE Cote-Nord sought to find an effective alternative method of delivering this knowledge in a fun and engaging way. They wanted to ensure inclusivity while keeping the joy of playing at the heart of the experience.



Solution: A Preventive Board Game
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The solution to address this challenge emerged during a brainstorming session: ESPACE Cote-Nord would create a board game. In an age where screens and digital tools isolate family members, the idea of a low-tech solution that capitalizes on the growing popularity of tabletop games emerged as a perfect way to encourage discovery and interaction.

This strategic decision aims to promote communication and human connection among participants. By opting for a physical version of the game, it fosters social interactions and strengthens the bonds between players, creating an environment conducive to discussion and collective learning.

The brilliance of this solution lies in its thoughtful design that promotes interaction.

To ensure the effectiveness of Take Action, meticulous attention has been paid to every aspect of the game, from its design to its mechanics. The custom-designed and hand-painted game pieces add an artisanal, authentic, and tactile touch to the gameplay experience.

The Take Action game box also becomes a gateway into households. It allows the team to include additional preventive documentation. In addition to the game, there is a preventive comic book and a charming magnet that, through a QR code, grants access to an online page listing all available resources for children and adults seeking help. Thus, Take Action goes beyond being a mere board game, becoming a gateway to a wealth of resources and support.

The game illustrations hold special significance as they are specifically designed to help children identify problematic situations, an essential step in prevention. The visual style of the illustrations has been adapted to suit players of all ages, ensuring an immersive experience for each participant.

Moreover, problematic situations are not directly assigned to the players to avoid creating stress. Instead, they are associated with four characters: Akyann, Gregory, Isaac, and Simone, whose initials spell out the word "AGIS" (which means "acting" in French).

Inclusivity has been a crucial consideration at every stage of the game's creation and production. The illustrated characters are diverse, reflecting the reality of society and enabling all players to relate. The game features a range of trusted adults beyond just parents, offering a wider array of options. Furthermore, the game offers three different modes (standard, simplified, and team mode) to cater to the needs of various age groups, emphasizing collaboration rather than competition.

To facilitate learning and understanding, the game is accompanied by an explanatory video, providing an alternative to written rules. Additionally, ESPACE Cote-Nord plans to gradually include other preventive tools in the game box, such as guides and brochures, to enhance the educational impact and reach of the game within communities.

By combining carefully designed elements, an engaging physical approach, and digital connectivity, Take Action positions itself as an innovative and comprehensive tool for addressing the prevention of violence against children. The game offers an immersive, educational, and inclusive experience while providing valuable resources to support adults and parents in their preventive roles.

Silver Winner in Education for Social Change

Gold Winner in Game Design for Social Change