Fantastic idea. I'm thinking about entering, but I don't know a whole lot about teen dating violence. So since 60% of the score is on education, here are some questions I have:

1) Out of all the lessons a person should learn, what is the most important lesson a user should walk away with after playing?
2) What are some resources we can use to educate ourselves on teen dating violence and thus create a more effective game?
3) Is there any place we could read case studies on teen relationships that turned violent?

I'll put the main character in a bird shirt. That should get me the vote of at least two of the judges.

As a father of a teenage daughter, I can say that anything that raises the awareness of teen dating violence then better. While I have made sure my daughter fully understand this issue herself, many don't have this talk with their daughters(none of her friends have had this talk with her parents). Kudos and thank you for doing this!

I just hope some of the entries show both sides (shows the boys how it is bad and showing the girls how it is ok to talk about it if it is happening!)

@BigSassy: Hit up the link, i believe they have some resources for getting that information.

It's all about reaching people on there level(just noted bad pun there)

I know I would rather play a game about covering abuse issues than read a leaflet.

I actually do flash design/programming for a living. But I wouldn't have the time to make a game, I barely have time to play games at the moment. But when the winners are announced I'll definitely make time to play them. good luck to everyone!

Is there any way a donation system could be created to add money to the winning prize money? This is a very important topic and I believe a larger prize amount would result in more thought-out games that would probably portray a stronger message.

Just a thought.

how can kids learn about the joys of japanese hemp rope binding with scare tactics like this?

not good....not good

Want to avoid teen date violence? Don't date idiot jocks. I'm amazed women are surprised that the idiot men they choose over the nice quiet ones turn out to be dicks. I thought that would be obvious with all the wedgie giving, but I guess then its counted as cute and funny.

Gah. Women.

Actually, I've written stories for magazines on this subject ... and I have some game ideas, but I have no idea how to make a flash game -- heck, my html skills are suspect. However, I do think this is a good idea -- just getting people to think about the topic is an excellent step in the right direction, regardless of the games made.

I suspect some creative mind with come up with something pretty good, though.

Interesting.

Quite a challenging concept, thats for sure.

@EdwinJ85: Stereotype much? Some jocks are excellent partners ... meanwhile, some quiet geeks are the one's that snap, stalk, and harass from the shadows. Sounds more like a case of jealousy, to me.

@Schmatz: That's a really good idea! I'd donate some to that, Crecente.

Additional information about Teen Dating Violence can be found on our forum. I've just updated with some additional info and lots of links. This should take you to the right forum:

[jenniferann.org]

Thanks,
- Drew

@jayntampa: Agreed. I think the point is that it can happen at anytime, with any "type" of person. Some of the kindest people I know look like vampires, and some of the biggest douches sing in the church choir. You never know, and that is why I am not going to have a daughter.

Ok. Here's the setup. There is this futuristic sport of some kind where someone tries to get a ball into a goal surrounded by a net, and covered with a semi-permeable membrane. Your job is to be a kind of 'goal keeper' (see if you follow this), and prevent the opponent from scoring.

Now, you have some people on your team--your friends--who can steal the ball, and kick it away so that the opponent has to chase it. Ideally, the opponent gets tired and bored, and tries to kick it in someone else's goal. Possibly someone who doesn't have an intact membrane, and therefore doesn't care as much.

I'm 20 now, but in my teens I was punched in the ribs by one boyfriend, and a lot worse by another. The latter has left lasting effects on me (it triggered my Manic Depression which I'm still suffering from 4 years later)

And I got off easy compared to your brother's daughter... :(

Well done to him for doing something so positive in the wake of such a tragedy. This will hopefully help others to get out sooner so that the same thing won't happen to someone elses daughter.

@zenpoet: That's totally true! Some of the one's that everyone calls "keepers" are freaking messed up in relationships ... me, I'm a geek, by far -- but, I've always had relatively hot girlfriends just by treating them right.

ugh, I'm a douche.

My apologies for the tasteless joke about a serious subject that I posted earlier.

Sounds like an interesting premise for a game. I may consider entering if I get some free time. However I am not quite sure how you teach about teen violence without using violence. It sounds about as effective as teaching abstinence in sex-ed.

How could you possibly convey this topic in a flash game? I'm not making fun of them for thinking up the contest or anything,but how could you possibly teach anything about the topic this way? It would be challenging to tackle the issue in a full retail release,let alone a little game you play in your browser. Especially since I'm pretty sure Nanaca Crash doesn't count.

The idea is great and I am sure some of those crafty flash designers can make something that will fulfill the duties of providing awarness. This is the test that gaming can take on tough and serious issues. Have at it designers and developers. Curious to see what comes up.

@jayntampa: hmm...bragging again I see.

fyi - the game rules have been slightly modified. You no longer have to be a US Citizen.

Good luck!