The Muncher Cellphone Game - Play and Help Free Real World Slaves

How can a simple cellphone game help combat the enormous problem of modern-day slavery? When the game is GenPlay Games' Muncher, and when cellphone users like you buy it and play it on a phone from providers like Sprint, Cingular, Boost, Bell, Virgin or Helio.

GenPlay executives say they are passionate about using their business to make a positive impact on the world. After researching social problems including orphaned children and poverty in third world countries, they have targeted the global problem of child slavery.

According to Michelle Lee, GenPlay's Director of Marketing, the company inaugurated its "Munch Away Slavery" campaign this year "because many of us indiviually were beginning to hear and feel burdened about the injustices of modern-day child slavery."

In response, the company has pledged to donate 50% of its revenues from the sale of its popular Muncher game. The proceeds go to five anti-slavery organizations which locate and buy back children sold into slavery worldwide.

These organizations include International Justice Mission, Hager International, The Polaris Project, CAST and Free The Slaves. Some groups estimate that there are as many as 27 million held in bondage in the world today, and most of them are children. The mission of the anti-slavery organizations is to provide housing, food and education for the children they free.

The action/adventure Muncher game is simple, engaging and has received good reviews from gamers. Players maneuver caterpillers through more than 50 screens of mazes with themes including plantlife, rocks, sand, snow and lava. The object of the game is to try to eat enemy caterpillers and gather strength and special powers to reach "The Great Transformation" into butterflys without being eaten themselves. There are also bonus stages to provide a change of pace and additional gameplay for the more skillful and lucky players.

One reviewer called the game "surprisingly good play" for the limits of the small cellphone screen. GenPlay calls it a great way to kill spare time and be entertained while contributing to a worthy and important cause.