A similar game/concept is Sweatshop, for which the intro cinematic lays it all out for you. After successfully completing a level (I hesitate to say one "beats" the level...) the game delivers more information about the phenomenon of globalization and its negative impact on workers worldwide.
Originally Posted by s-m-r I wish we could "like" posts here, too.
A similar game/concept is Sweatshop, for which the intro cinematic lays it all out for you. After successfully completing a level (I hesitate to say one "beats" the level...) the game delivers more information about the phenomenon of globalization and its negative impact on workers worldwide.
love the graphics and style in this one. kinda reminds me of a style im currently using. look its GOOD LOOKING gradients. gonna check out the full game when im not supposed to be working.
i love that sticker on their site: REMOVED from the app store. haha. i just love apple and their attitude aka i hate apple and they are awful.
For the longest time, I've been trying to find ways to reach out to a broader audience regarding social justice issues, specifically through video games. I think projects like Phone Story and Sweatshop are coming closer and closer to the mark on this. I think they're excellent attempts.
There was another game called People Power that tries to bring in the personal aspect of bloc building/forming coalitions surrounding community organizing, but it seemed more like managing spreadsheets to me...
Videogaming can be such an immersive format, and I'm happy to see someone making strides in that area: games that can actually be fun while delivering a powerful social message - and not seeming too preachy.
Originally Posted by s-m-r For the longest time, I've been trying to find ways to reach out to a broader audience regarding social justice issues, specifically through video games. I think projects like Phone Story and Sweatshop are coming closer and closer to the mark on this. I think they're excellent attempts.
There was another game called People Power that tries to bring in the personal aspect of bloc building/forming coalitions surrounding community organizing, but it seemed more like managing spreadsheets to me...
Videogaming can be such an immersive format, and I'm happy to see someone making strides in that area: games that can actually be fun while delivering a powerful social message - and not seeming too preachy.
Perhaps the reason that games like Phone Story and Sweatshop fail to reach a substantial audience is because they don't have any interesting characters and play more like interactive documentaries. Like movies, telling a compelling story can be the key to winning over the audience; in the case of games, the player would grow attached to the unique setting and characters, so when the social issue is brought into fruition, it hits harder.
Of course, I haven't played any of these games, so I don't know if they do in fact have stories; It just seems like they don't from their websites (which in itself could be a problem with reaching a broader audience).
Originally Posted by Strife...in the case of games, the player would grow attached to the unique setting and characters, so when the social issue is brought into fruition, it hits harder.
I agree with this especially. People Power was a bore to me, and while I enjoyed the cinematic I really didn't get into the gameplay of Sweatshop. I don't have an iDevice, so I'll be skipping Phone Story.
I'll be looking around for more inspiration, I suppose. But your notion of an "interactive documentary" also strikes home. I do board game designing as well as software, and those who have attempted to inject their perspective of certain social justice issues typically fail because the game(s) seem based on forcing the agenda as opposed to letting the player play the game. One look at a game such as Third World Farmer, and you'll realize that the futility of the real-world situation was the priority, as opposed to an engaging and fun game experience.
Perhaps that's the nature of "social justice games" in general...Game elements are sacrificed and editorial elements are promoted. Apart from the possibility of a weak game, the overarching "preachiness" and linearity of the agenda has turned me off.
I heard about the libertarian ideas present in the expansive game Red Dead Redemption, but I've not played it to have my own judgment on the notion. Can someone comment on that?
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