I've finally netted myself a game I can really get caught up in.

unless the government in africa gets serious about the problems in Africa then we will continue to see these things that should be aleiviated won't.

Unfortunately any money that goes over there will be used or taken to fight or help warlords.

Still I don't think much actually goes to Africa in way of real help. Something simple like mosquito nets doesn't cost that much when we spend millions here for frivilous things...like videogames? What are all these "charities" doing with this money that they raise?

I hope this kind of game works but I doubt it.

Awful game, great cause. Now to go do something evil to counteract the good deed...

They should bring back DDT.

@Edmon: Ban? :P

April 25th should be rechristened Gin and Tonic Appreciation Day, in recognition of the progress this beverage has made in combatting malaria.

@Morpork: I hardly see why a little humour calls for a ban. Its nice to see someone flying a good cause and thats why I'm happy to get caught up in this game.

Your call for one might be worthy though, which I'm sure would suck for you.

Anyone know if they plan to release a network version?

Mosquito nets are currently used in Africa, and to a wide extent. However, it costs about $5 to provide one insecticide-treated net. Multiply that by a hundred million people, and suddenly you need half a billion dollars just to protect a fraction of the at-risk population. And they only last for so long, and so need to be replaced on a fairly regular basis.

@Netnavi: They send over nets, not cash, and so yes, it does work. See the above paragraph for why the charities you think are worthless are simply fighting a battle for which you have no concept of the scale of the issue they face. Those costs don't even come close to including the resources spent on providing anti-malarial drugs, treatment, and addressing hosts of other issues, all with in-kind donations that are much harder to funnel off into "some warlords" pocket. The fact that you think all of sub-Saharan Africa is ruled by Hollywood-style despots with iron fists is in itself gross ignorance.

@Guild_Navigator: It has been approved for limited use in non-agricultural situations to wipe out small infestations. The levels they use it at are even small enough there isn't a huge effect up the food chain, like there was when everyone was dousing thousands of square miles of fields with it to protect crops.

In some ways this is surreal. Will games which aren't particularly good, in the future, pick up sales by tying in with charity? Buy the collector's edition of Fallout 3 and we'll send 5$ to an institute specializing in disposing of nuclear waste (note, I have no idea if Fallout 3 will be good or not, it's just an example).

Maybe an upcoming mario D/L game can transfer 2 cents on the dollar to a hospital fund for repairing herniated plumbers?

Does it make me a terrible person because I think it's funny to drive right up next to them, give them nothing, and then speed on past them, laughing away?

The problem with giving mosquito nets to Africans is that they think that the nets will cure every disease, which only makes them not go to a doctor to get vaccines and antibiotics. Nets may help Africans, but they cause other problems.

@icelight: So for the past 20 years and millions and millions of dollars (wich I'm sure have added up to billions by now) and we still can't get these people to have good land to feed themselves and protect them from diseases? Really?

I'm sorry but the government is not doing enough to help the situation. Please don't call me ignorant of the situation because I know plenty. I may not live in the heart of Africa but I am just as well informed as the next guy that actively seeks out knowledge.

Yes it cost billions. But it takes a village to get things done and if noone really wants to help then what can really be done? It's like every country that gets sidetrack with wars (what else should I call them? Warlords fits the description) it leaves the citizens, that have just want to live their lives peacefully, starving and sick.

When the government is corrupt and cares about fighting wars instead of helping people then this is the result. Not just in Africa but in other countries as well. All the money goes to it instead of the people.

@Edmon:
The ":P" should have clearly indicated that I was joking too. I was saying your joke was so bad you should be banned. (Again, joke.)

@Netnavi: If you feel so passionately then please go there and do some work yourself personally. I'm going to Uganda in about 14 months and I think it'd be a great experience if every person were to go out to another part of the world solely to help out in any way needed. It'll teach you a lot about yourself if you really need a selfish cause to go.

I'm kindof a coward to go to other countries where there is a lot of wars and diseases. I admire the people that actually do do that and really pour their hearts out for the people there.

They have a lot more courage than I do. Same for the people that join the army and such.

Good luck over there.

Maggie, I've never lived where mosquito nets were needed, but I always have the same reaction to those Ethan Allen ads.

How romantic can it be to have a pesticide-coated tent around your bed, and you hear the little bastards whining around the rest of the room all night?

I think this is a big win all around. People who are lucky enough to have free time and net-connected computers get a free game to play, games get some good PR since this one's for a good cause, and fewer Africans will get sick and die from malaria.

If I wanted to play a game to combat a disease in Africa, I'd play Resident Evil 5, and at the end they'd tell me Capcom would donate money for AIDS/Ebola research.

*braces for an ACLU raid*