Game Review: FActs! for your Fertility!

'FActs! for your Fertility!' is a game which aims to improve and test the user's knowledge about how health and lifestyle can affect a person's fertility in the future. It aims equip young people with awareness of actions that could be reducing their chances of being fertile when they want to start a family, giving them the chance to reduce their risk.

I started the game completely unaware of what to expect, but its opening interface, where you choose an animated character, filled me with hope. A discussion, between two more animated characters, leads onto a multiple-choice question about fertility, for the user to answer.

If the user answers correctly, they receive a reward of in-game currency which adds up at the end of the game. Following each set of questions, a page filled with concise information helps the user learn the basics before moving onto another question.

I believe that the game is very useful and informative for those of all ages who are interested in learning about the basics about risk factors for infertility. It can be a useful tool for those who are trying to have a baby or those who might want to in the future. Most of the information can be easily implemented into daily life to maximise fertility for the future.

The game, as a whole, was very easy to use and accessible for those of all technological abilities. The user-friendly experience made it a very pleasant experience and this was enhanced by the fun music in the background.

Some users might have an issue with the few personal questions at the beginning of the game: asking for age and country, for example. However, the answers are collected as data for fertility charities to understand gaps in knowledge surrounding risk factors of infertility. This information can then be used by these charities to help combat infertility – an objectively good cause.

Birth rates have been decreasing in Europe over the past 50 years (see BioNews 1227) and the number of families affected by fertility issues has been increasing. FActs! develops resources such as this game to help prevent this issue becoming an even larger problem.

Overall, I saw the game as more of a fun, interactive learning experience rather than a game. It was more informative than the majority of games and was structured more like a quiz. I can understand the argument that it is a game through the short storyline that is created via the dialogue between the characters. Although, personally, I do not see this as enough for it to be considered a game.

The game's format and short length, I would say, is better suited for younger children and could potentially be too brief and repetitive for a more mature user. Having said that, it packed a lot into its short length, providing lots of information and minimising anything unnecessary.

The lack of actual playability is compensated for by concise, detailed information while still providing the user an amusing experience. I believe that the game fulfils its second goal in increasing the level of fertility awareness among teenagers because of the many shock factors within it: many normal parts of a teenage lifestyle were explained to be risk factors for fertility issues! This is quite a shock for me and my friends as we often find ourselves indulging in the consumption of fast food!

Also, the game has brought about a new perspective on infertility for young people my age as it never seems to be mentioned or taught at schools. People often assume that they will have children without issues but the game has shown that this is not always the case.

To conclude, I believe the game is a useful foundation tool for decreasing fertility issues in young populations across Europe. It addresses large-scale factors in society causing these issues, and by targeting teenagers it encourages change in lifestyle before the issue is too great. I would recommend this game to be played in schools across Europe to help further the message and hopefully implement change.