simple.green.organic.happy.

Green living, playful parenting and the pursuit of happiness

You are here: Home / Everything Else / Everything Else / Video Gameplay for Good: Play ‘Sidekick Cycle’ and Aid World Bicycle Relief

Video Gameplay for Good: Play ‘Sidekick Cycle’ and Aid World Bicycle Relief

February 25, 2014 By Robin Strong Elton Leave a Comment

Sidekick Cycle

A game is an opportunity to focus our energy,
with relentless optimism,

at something we’re good at (or getting better at) and enjoy.

In other words,
gameplay is the direct emotional opposite of depression.

―Jane McGonigal
Reality Is Broken:
Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World

 

Regardless of how you feel about video games in general, kids (and adults) love ’em, and with this one you can throw your support behind a good cause.

Sidekick Cycle is from the Global Gaming Initiative, a company that incentivizes charitable micro giving: helping to raise awareness of economic and social issues through fun video games. 50% of the proceeds from Sidekick Cycle sales go to World Bicycle Relief, a non-profit group that gives rugged, locally assembled bikes to students, disaster victims and healthcare workers in Africa. These bikes aren’t just an opportunity for healthy fun; they can ensure a kid attends school every day.

With every 387 downloads of Sidekick Cycle— available for just 99 cents in the app store for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch— GGI purchases one bicycle for a child in an impoverished community. (It’s a universal app that is GameCenter enabled. An Android version will be available this fall.)

99 cents to download @ggiplaytogive Sidekick Cycle game- 50% of proceeds aid World Bicycle Relief

Click To Tweet

I’m already sold at this point, because it’s a dollar donation to get kids on bikes and in school.

Oh! But you get a game too!

video games for good

 

Basically Sidekick Cycle is a downhill biking game, whizzing at “vertigo-inducing” top speed over hazardous terrain in Africa and North America; you have to stick tricks and flips (earning bonus points and coins to spend on upgrades) while delivering bikes to kids in need. There are over 30 tracks/levels, with more on the way.

Bikes can be customized with Sidekick companion animals; each of these has its own special ability, so you can mix and match different powers for varying “powered up” play. Bikes themselves can also be customized with gear for a uniquely sweet, sweet ride.

I have to say that I’ve always liked driving games and the wipeout factor of a bike game sounds fun. This sounds like a good way for Cass to pass the time while we’re waiting for a table or at the doctor… while driving home how great bikes are and how they can make a difference.

I’ll have her try it out and report back on how she likes it— but really for a dollar it’s a good buy however you look at it.

 

 

Related Posts

  • kaboomKaBOOM! Park-A-Day Summer Challenge
  • only way-give6 Ways to Volunteer and Give Back, With Kids
  • kids in tentThe Great American Backyard Campout 2011
  • bee on flowerGet Outside! 14 Citizen Scientist Projects for Kid Backyard Naturalists
  • munch 5 a day appFree App for Healthy Eating: Munch 5 a Day to Keep the Doctor Away

Filed Under: Everything Else, Family, Parenting, Green Tech, Make a Difference: Community & Calls to Action Tagged With: Cycling, video games for good, World Bicycle Relief Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s be social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Don’t miss a post!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Search the site

best climate change and sustainability blogs
Most Influential Green Living Blogger 2015 Award
VOTY Honoree

Categories

Everywhere

My Other Blog

Robin Elton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Copyright © 2015 simple.green.organic.happy | Developed by NW Designs