Sunday Funny, not everyone likes Pachelbel
Political activism and video games
Will Hillary commission a “Race to National Healthcare” video game as a way of campaigning? It is a distinct possibility thanks to Ian Bogost, a professor at Georgia Tech and founding partner of Persuasive Games. He insists that his games are “playable editorial cartoons.” Those editorial cartoons would be of the political variety, of course.
Just as the documentary developed as a potent force within the film industry, Bogost is among a growing number of designers who develop video games that focus and comment on the world’s social and political ills.
“I’m not against fun. I like to play the same video games everyone else does. But I don’t believe that video games have to be fun,” Bogost said. “I think they need to be given the opportunity to bother and disturb us.”
Howard Dean already took advantage of the video game campaign strategy:
The Howard Dean for Iowa Game - launched at Christmas 2003 to help Dean supporters understand grassroots outreach and to encourage them to participate in pre-caucus campaigning in Iowa or in their local area. Commissioned by Dean for America, the game was the first ever official U.S. Presidential Election game.
So if the current crew of presidential hopefuls were to come out with their own campaign video games, what would they be?
-
Fight FOCA!
Friend me on Facebook!
