Although its not the normal type of mobile phone game played by young people in the UK, a Portsmouth University academic (and former student) hopes that his new design has found a niche.

The game is designed to help foreign students make sense of the British university culture and help the students integrate and find their way around campus.

Designer Nipan Maniar wants to help people overcome the “culture shock” of moving to the UK.

The game follows an international student arriving in Britain for the first time. The aim is to reduce the character’s “culture shock” rating from a default of 100 to zero by performing a series of tasks that introduce new incidents and images.The game’s opening scenario is a student’s first day at university.

The student is shown a map of the campus and is given tasks to find specific locations. Clicking on images along the way warns the student about what to expect - for example, it is acceptable for students to drink alcohol and to display affection in public.

The game also includes important information such as emergency telephone numbers. Mr Maniar expects the idea to be adopted by other universities. He developed with prototype with Dr Emily Bennett, his research assistant, after consulting the University’s International Office and the British Council.

It is now in the final stages of development and is expected to be available for download from the University of Portsmouth website later this year.