Home > News / Blog > Detroit 24/7 online game signs up 550 people; Mission No. 2 starts Monday

Detroit 24/7 online game signs up 550 people; Mission No. 2 starts Monday

Posted: 05/14/12

Featured Image

by Dustin Block|MLive

Detroit 24/7, an online game designed to spur discussion about the city’s future, signed up 550 people in its first week, according to organizers.

The game has representatives from 140 organizations and has generated 2,157 comments. 

“We’re ecstatic about the number of people who have become engaged in Detroit 24/7,” said Dan Pitera, civic engagement co-lead for Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning. “As you play the game you can see the thoughtful responses being offered by other players. Thus far we have gotten some great input that will be very helpful as we develop the strategic framework plan for Detroit’s future.”

The Living in Detroit mission is a chance for players to explain challenges and pleasures associated with living in the city. Players will also be able to share what makes their community successful.     
Detroit 24/7 on www.CommunityPlanIt.org allows players of all ages and backgrounds to creatively think, learn and share their suggestions for how to improve the quality of life in Detroit while competing to earn points and win prizes.  To sign-up visit www.CommunityPlanIt.org.
Nyasia Valdez, a student at Caesar Chavez High School, shares what it’ s like for her Living in Detroit as part of the introductory video for Mission 2— Living in Detroit: http://vimeo.com/41185188.
The ideas and input collected through Detroit 24/7 will be utilized by Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning to help inform and shape the Strategic Framework Plan, also known as the guide for decision making, scheduled to be complete before fall of 2012.
A general overview for how games on Community PlanIt like Detroit 24/7 work can be seen here: http://vimeo.com/40255999.
WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER TO PLAY THE GAME?
Any computer, smart phone or tablet with an Internet connection allows people to access Detroit 24/7 on Community PlanIt. 
A partnership has been formed with Detroit Public Library (DPL) so that anyone wishing to play the Detroit 24/7 game on Community PlanIt can do so at any branch during regular business hours. View this link to for locations and hours: 
The Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning HomeBase, 2929 Russell Street in Eastern Market, will also be a place where people can access computers Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHAT DO I GET FOR PLAYING Detroit 24/7?   
Detroit 24/7 provides players with more than just the satisfaction of accomplishing missions; there’s a chance to win prizes.  The overall top point earner, the top youth point earner, and one other member of the top 50 players will win an HD Flip Video Camera.  Players who earn the most achievement badges will be entered to into a drawing to receive gift cards to local Detroit businesses.
 WHAT ARE THE MISSIONS?  WHEN DO THEY BEGIN AND END?
Mission #1 – Share your Detroit (Begun 12:01 a.m. May 7 and Ends 11:59 p.m. May 13)
Detroit is full of hidden treasures. Only people who spend time here understand why the city is truly one-of-a-kind. How do you spend time in Detroit? Now is your chance to share your Detroit and let others know why the city is so special to you.
Mission #2 – Living in Detroit (Begins 12:01 a.m. May 14 and Ends 11:59 p.m. May 20)
Living in Detroit is sometimes tough, sometimes wonderful, and sometimes everything in between. But if nothing else, Detroit is always interesting. Now is your chance to explain all the pains and pleasures associated with living in Detroit and despite the challenges, what makes a successful community.
Mission #3 – Getting around Detroit (Begins 12:01 a.m. May 21 and Ends 11:59 p.m. May 27)
How you get around Detroit affects many aspects of your life. It affects our chances for employment, going to school and running basic errands. Now is your chance to describe what you encounter everyday as you move around the city and suggest how things can improve.
WHO ARE THE Detroit 24/7 PARTNERS?
The Detroit 24/7 game on Community PlanIt was developed by the Engagement Game Lab in partnership with Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning and with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Other partners include Excellent Schools Detroit, Wayne County Community College District, Young Nation in Southwest Detroit, William J. Beckham Academy, Lawrence Technological University, and the Detroit Public Library System.
About Community PlanIt
Community PlanIt is a project of the Engagement Game Lab, an applied research lab at Emerson College focusing on the development and study of games and social media to enhance civic life. The EGL works directly with its partner communities to innovate civic engagement processes, augment stakeholder deliberation, and broaden the diversity of participants in local decision-making. Community PlanIt was created to focus on enhancing the community planning process for stakeholders and planners. It aims to lower participation barriers in community planning, enhance engagement by scaffolding learning in a fun way, and strengthen the trust between community members, planners, and decision makers.
To learn more visit  http://engagementgamelab.org/
About Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning
Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning is developing a Strategic Framework Plan that will serve as a guide for the community, city government, non-profits, and businesses to make decisions that will help Detroit to become a city with healthier, more viable neighborhoods that can support current residents while still attracting new ones; and reenergize Detroit’s economy while increasing job opportunities for Detroiters.
With expected completion in August of 2012, as part of the strategic framework there will be:
  • A shared vision for the city and its neighborhoods;
  • Public policy recommendations that can be incorporated into important governing documents such as the Master Plan of Policies for the City, or zoning ordinances;
  • Implementation strategies that can be executed by government, investors and businesses, and community-based organizations.
To learn more about Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning visit www.DetroitLongTerm.com; stop by the project’s HomeBase located at 2929 Russell Street in Eastern Market between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 313-259-4407.
The original article can be found here.