Barclays launched a new game and I was asked to take a look and write about it. 56 Sage Street

is a free game aimed to the age group comprised between 13 and 20, but it is just as entertaining for adults.  I am not one to usually spend a lot of time on video games, but this one completely absorbed me bringing back memories of me as a young girl in London for the first time looking for work and a place to stay. I quickly realized that I couldn’t get a job without a proper bank account, many employers did not accept building society accounts back then, but I couldn’t open an account with a high street bank without a permanent address or the recommendations of my employer. Luckily for me someone in my same situation told me of an agreement between the Barclays branch on Soho Square and a fast food restaurant on the corner of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road from where you could get an employer reference letter to open a bank account. It felt great to overcome the first hurdle. 56 Sage Street comes with a Barclays account, but it is empty and it is up to the player to pay money in to move on to the next level.

At the beginning you choose your character, either boy or girl, who is new in London and has to make his/her way through the game by staying out of trouble, finding work, avoiding scams and being safe.  Players quickly understand it is not easy to find work without references and looking scruffy. During the game they will learn to improve their appearance to increase their chances to find better paid work, to keep their energy levels high to be able to complete their tasks without passing out on the job and to increase their reputation. Throughout 56 Sage Street players gain awards for being street savvy, putting money away in the savings account and for being Good Samaritans. As each player reaches a new level in the game he moves through the map and living conditions and work opportunities improve. The game changes according to the risks and opportunities each player picks, but the four tasks given by the mysterious Mr C are the same for everybody. Players will have to prove to be able to do well as a café chef, become skilled pianists and excellent typists to make it through to the final task at 56 Sage Street.

The game trailer of 56 Sage Street is available on You Tube. Encourage your teens to play it and see how they would survive in a big city if they had to look for work, a safe place to stay and avoid scams.

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