New trend on the web
WeTopia
An addictive feature of Facebook games is that they let you collect coins or points after certain achievements. These rewards can get you hooked on playing more and more towards credits you can earn to unlock fun new features of a game.
WeTopia has taken this strategy and put it to good use in the real world. In the game developed by Sojo Studios, players receive points for building a school or planting a tree in a virtual village. The game allows users to turn their points earned into real donations to such well-known charities as Save the Children and Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Gamers have already helped build schools and pharmacies in Haiti and other developing countries.
Sojo Studios donates 50 per cent of its profits, which come from advertising and gaming fees paid by Facebook users playing the game. The game maker says it will launch further socially responsible games on Facebook.