Colleges band to make anti-bullying game [update 1]

Nine European universities, coordinated by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, have united to create a virtual bully simulator that will help kids cope with bullies and develop strategies to deal with confrontational situations.

The program is being headed up by Heriot-Watt computer science professor Ruth Aylett and features universities from UK, Portugal, Italy, and Germany. According to Gamasutra, the first tests of the software are being planned for early 2007 for UK and German children aged 10 to 12.

Using video games to educate is a great idea, but we wonder if the planned project has anything to do with next month's release of Rockstar's controversial, though reportedly tame, title Bully (now Canis Canem Edit in Europe). We've sent off a few questions to Dr. Aylett, and we'll update as soon as we hear from her.

[Update: Here is our interview with Dr. Aylett.]

See Also:
Slate author: Madden taught me football

[Via Gamasutra; thanks, cringer8]