WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg’s Division of Continuing Education (UWDCE) is practicing what it preaches – merging technology, marketing and fun – by hiding a classic arcade game on its website and leaving clues how to find it over the Internet.
Last week, UWDCE quietly placed a modified version of PacMan on a website, dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca, and left clues on Facebook and Twitter about its existence. A secret code is required before it can be found. Within 24 hours, people were talking about it, looking for clues and sharing hints on how to access the game using something called the “Konami Code”.
“We teach technologies like Flash, PHP, ActionScript, as well as design and usability in our Internet Systems Specialist Diploma program,” says Stevi Dram, Director of DCE Information Technology (DCE-IT), “The students are learning these subjects in the classroom right now, so the timing is perfect. They really can see how their new skills can be applied to real-world projects.”
Erin Stewart, Dean of Continuing Education, agrees. “This is an example of word-of-mouth buzz that started with students, expanded to their friends, and then was picked up by online media outlets once people started blogging about it. It’s exciting.”
The video game, re-branded as DCE-IT Man, can be played by visiting dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca and entering the Konami Code, which are these keys, in this order:
- Up arrow
- Up arrow
- Down arrow
- Down arrow
- Left arrow
- Right arrow
- Left arrow
- Right arrow
- B
- A
The University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education has started blogging at http://UWinnipegDCE.wordpress.com.
Since 1972, The University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education has been a dynamic and innovative lifelong learning institution. Our success has been driven by the ability to create and sustain a dynamic culture based on our most valuable resource: learners. Our life-long learning approach provides hands-on training opportunities to expand learners’ career potential. We offer more than 600 full-time and part-time programs, courses and seminars in a full range of program areas.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stevi Dram, Director of Information Technology, The University of Winnipeg DCE
P: 204.982.1168 E: S.Dram@UWinnipeg.ca W: dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca
DCE-IT Man images are available at http://picasaweb.google.com/UWinnipegDCE and UWinnipeg images are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/university_of_winnipeg_dce
