STUDENTS FACE OFF IN NATIONAL TOTAL DEFENCE GAME TOURNAMENT

This was a key takeaway for participants of the Guardians of the City (GOTC) tournament held at ITE College Central from 18 to 19 Nov.

It was the first time that a GOTC tournament was held on a national level since the strategy card game was introduced to secondary schools this February.

The tournament saw 64 teams from 40 secondary schools facing off in various scenarios on potential terror attacks in Singapore.

During the finals on 19 Nov, the junior team of Fuhua Secondary School outwitted the rest to clinch the champion title.

The team of five students said their winning strategy was in their early preparations they met twice weekly since the start of their November holidays to train.

Said 16-year-old Lin Yibin: "During the training, we listed out all the cards one by one and discussed what would be useful. We then voted to standardise all the cards that we will keep in use."

The Total Defence strategy card game was designed to help students recognise the complexity of terror threats and how everyday actions can help keep Singapore safe. It was co-developed by Nexus, Ministry of Defence, and game designer Wan Junyan.

"From playing the cards we actually pick up what the Government is doing, such as training citizens in first aid, to prepare us in case something goes wrong," said fellow teammate Alden Yek, 15.

Despite their preparations, the team did not expect to win.

"The tournament was really intense," said Yibin, "You really don"t know how the cards you draw will affect you."

Nexus" Director (Engagement) Clara Tan said the game was designed first and foremost to be fun and exciting.

"That is the first hurdle to cross for students to want to play the game. And when they get interested, (that) is when we can start telling them a little more about Total Defence."

With the positive response to the tournament, there was an interest to make it an annual competition, added Ms Tan.

"We are also exploring how we can work with other agencies to ride on the Total Defence framework in GOTC to introduce other messages on other threats and challenges that Singapore is facing."

The GOTC tournament was held in conjunction with Campus GAME (Game, Arts, Media, Edu-tainment) Fest 2017.