The State Emergency Service of Ukraine together with the developers of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl, GSC Game World, have launched a special project to teach teenagers how to handle explosive objects in real life.
The game’s protagonist, the stalker Skif, has become a guide to mine safety. Through a video based on the game, Skif shows teenagers what to do if they find suspicious objects: do not approach, do not touch, return the same way and call 101.
“Integration with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 allows us to talk about a serious threat in a language that teenagers understand. Instead of lectures or leaflets, they see the danger in a familiar virtual world,” explains Roman Prymush, Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service.
Чому вирішили зробити відео
About 23% of Ukraine’s territory remains potentially dangerous due to mines and remnants of explosive devices, the State Emergency Service says. Even previously surveyed areas can be dangerous due to active hostilities and shelling. It may take decades to fully clean up the areas.
According to UNICEF and the Rating Group, 53% of Ukrainian adolescents, despite being aware of the risks, are prone to dangerous behavior, and the most at-risk group is boys aged 14-17. They are often out of the house, exploring new territories and playing computer games, which can reduce the sense of real danger.
