Internet game for victims of war

The game hopes to highlight the cause of vulnerable people across the world

A charity has launched an internet game to raise awareness about victims of war, in which the object is to help a displaced Ugandan boy find his mother.

The British Red Cross game is among the first charity Alternative Reality Games (ARG), with clues on various websites.

Traces of Hope aims to engage players in treasure-hunt style game-play as they use detective skills to compete.

The game is set in northern Uganda, where a 20-year rebellion has forced two million people to flee their homes.

Having just arrived in a camp for displaced people called "Hopetown", Joseph, 16, has 24 hours to track down a Red Cross messenger who might have news from his mother.

The Red Cross works to reconnect families separated by conflict.

After signing up for the game, players will have to wait for Joseph to contact them with news of his situation.

The game's designers say they have placed clues and solutions around the internet in order to blur the boundaries between the game and the real world.

Players go to real websites as they try to help Joseph.

The game was scripted by one of the creators of KateModern, the UK's biggest online interactive drama series.