Released on: August 4, 2008, 7:33 am

Press Release Author: Mark - Playgen

Industry: Computers

Press Release Summary: New online game explores risk of flooding in UK

Press Release Body: EMBARGO UNTIL 00.01 am Tuesday 5th August 2008

You can be Flood Tsar - New online game explores risk of flooding in UK

An online simulation game launched on Tuesday (Aug 5th) helps families understand
the UK\'s risk of flooding, and the policy decisions needed to make sure the UK is
protected against floods.

Floodsim.com, developed by London based computer game company PlayGen, puts the
player in charge of all flood policy decisions. In the game, floods hit the UK each
year, and success is determined by how many people and how much of the economy is
affected by flooding.

The project has received backing from Environment Minister Phil Woolas. He said:
\"The floods of 2007 show just how serious flooding can be, and I am glad to see that
this project has been developed to enable people to have a greater understanding of
the risk of flooding. A number of decisions need to be taken when we look at
managing the risk of flooding - \" including our annual spend on flood defences,
where and how we build new houses, and the emergency response procedures we have in
place for times of flood. This game gives the game player the opportunity to make
informed decisions about all of these policy areas.\"

PlayGen\'s Managing Director, Kam Memarzia, said: \"We are extremely pleased to have
been involved in this project. This is a new way of making people aware of an issue
of huge importance to the UK, and we hope that players will not only enjoy the game,
but it will also encourage them to be more interested and engaged in the tough
political decisions needed to deal with flood risk. Through the website, we want
people to respond to consultations, write to their local MP, find out their flood
risk - and make their voice heard.\"

The game has been funded by Norwich Union, the UK\' s biggest insurer. Ben Welsh,
Public Affairs Director at Norwich Union, said: \"We are delighted to have worked
with PlayGen on this project. Keeping this issue in the public eye is vital. Around
45,000 Norwich Union customers were affected by the floods in 2007. Our job is
twofold; to put things right for our customers as quickly as possible, and secondly,
work in partnership with the Government, agencies and the general public to ensure
the UK is better prepared for the effects of flooding in future.\"

The game can be played online at www.floodsim.com

Press contacts:

Rebecca Holmes, Norwich Union, T: 01603 685177
rebecca.l.holmes@norwich-union.co.uk

Kam Memarzia, PlayGen T: 0207 7393285 M : 07950 400065 kam@playgen.com

Notes to editors:
Norwich Union is the UK\'s largest general insurer with a market share of around 15%,
with a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses. It is a leading
provider of life, pensions and investment products and one of the largest financial
adviser (FA) providers. FAs provide over 70% of the company\'s long-term savings
business in the UK. http://www.norwichunion.com/
PlayGen is the UK\'s leading games and simulations development studio for engaging
players on important issues. PlayGen creates games to foster learning and
innovation, to promote discussion and better understanding of complex situations and
to improve training and assessment. Previous projects include: a game about policy
making called SeriousPolicy; simulations used by Defence; virtual reality game to
teach innovation strategy to CEOs; and games to inspire the next generation of
scientists and promote the understanding of nanotechnology, one of which is
sponsored by the Wellcome Trust. http://www.playgen.com

Web Site: http://www.playgen.com

Contact Details: 35 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, london, E2 8AA