A renowned game designer and researcher turns to social gaming to help change the world

Following the theme of many ARGs before it, Urgent Evoke utilizes a variety of media like videos, Web comics and social networking to help sustain its fictional premise and atmosphere. The official trailer urges players to begin by submitting their own "Evokation" (sic) in video or blog post format. An Evokation is essentially a player's proposal to solve a specific problem, or describe a new idea that will make a substantial difference in their life. "An Evokation is a plan of action," according to the official site. "It’s a clear and vivid description of a project you want to undertake. And it’s how you will earn the opportunity to continue your journey as a social innovator."

Urgent Evoke will eventually award the winning players with some of the resources they need to accomplish their goals. Up to 20 players will be rewarded after 10 weeks, based on their initial Evokation and the overall participation of ongoing tasks like "network missions," quests and discussions. As the game's tagline reads, Evoke is a "10-week crash course in changing the world."

Each week, players will receive additional pieces of the unfolding story and face new challenges, such as responding to calls for help to solve issues based on real-world problems. Many MMORPG elements are included in the progression design, like the ability to level up and acquire abilities. However, players will be asked to submit evidence of themselves using their real-life "powers and abilities" to positively affect their community via volunteer or social work.

But will Urgent Evoke really inspire education and change beyond its 20 winners? Is the game even realistically accessible to its intended player base? Those are some of the questions raised in the aforementioned CNN interview; according to Executive Producer and World Bank's Robert Hawkins, only a small number of registered players are from Africa. However, according to the interview, the World Bank will launch an ad campaign in South Africa that should help raise awareness.

Regarding the game's accessibility, McGonigal said that players will be able to use mobile phone Web browser like Opera Mini to access all of the content and perform every required task. McGonigal told CNN that an Arabic version of Urgent Evoke might be in-the-works later this year if the game is well-received. For more information about Urgent Evoke—including ways in which non-African players can impact the game—visit the official Web site.