Catch the Sperm – again

The first version of Catch the sperm was a hit with computer users. www.stopaids.ch

An Aids prevention group supported by the Swiss government has launched a sequel to the popular web game "Catch the Sperm", which has attracted millions of surfers.

In 2001, 18 million surfers in 104 countries downloaded the free Swiss Aids prevention game “Catch the Sperm”.

The Stop Aids organisation, a joint campaign run by the Swiss Ministry of Health and Swiss Aids Federation, said they “could not have hoped for a higher success rate”. The national portal on Monday launched a fresh batch of electronic fun with its second episode, “Catch the Sperm 2”.

In the new version, players are served with a revised graphic design and modernized characters, which include smart-looking bacteria, spermatozoids and virus. To win, a player needs to immoderately use the condom cannons against sexual enemies such as Aids, Hepatitis C, Herpes and Syphilis bacteria.

Targeting young people

Youth are the primary target of this prevention campaign and are expected to constitute the main “Catch the sperm 2” user group.

In a press release, the Stop Aids organisation said the game is expected to drive home the message that condom use is an effective weapon against sexual disease.

“Studies show that if young people use a condom during their first sexual experience, at around 16-17 years old, they are likely to continue using condoms later on. Therefore the image young people have of a condom is crucial to their future sexual behaviour”, the statement said.

The new game is for PC users. People with Macs will have to wait till spring before that version arrives.

swissinfo