Written By The video game industry has come a long way since the days of Pong and Space Invaders. It has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry with games that immerse players in richly-detailed worlds, letting them explore new worlds, embark on epic quests, and engage in thrilling battles. But can video games be more than just entertainment? Can they be a force for economic justice?
The answer is yes, and many game developers are taking on this challenge. They are creating games that tackle economic inequality head-on, using the power of play to help players understand complex issues like poverty, inequality, and social injustice.
One such game is Spent, a game developed by the Urban Ministries of Durham, a non-profit organization in North Carolina. In Spent, players must navigate a series of tough choices as they try to make ends meet on a tight budget. They must choose between buying groceries or paying rent, and between taking a sick day or risking losing their job. The game forces players to confront the difficult choices that many low-income families face every day.
Another game that tackles economic injustice is Payback, a game developed by the San Francisco Federal Reserve. In Payback, players take on the role of a student loan borrower who must navigate a complex system of loan repayment. They must make choices about how much to borrow, how to pay back their loans, and how to balance their debt with other financial responsibilities. The game helps players understand the challenges faced by millions of Americans who are struggling with student debt.
But it’s not just non-profits and government agencies that are creating socially-conscious games. Many independent game developers are using their skills to create games that promote economic justice. For example, the game Sweatshop, developed by the UK-based Littleloud studio, takes on the issue of sweatshop labor. Players must manage a factory, making tough decisions about wages, working conditions, and profits. The game shows how the drive for profits can lead to exploitation and abuse, and it challenges players to think about the true cost of the clothes they wear.
These games are just a few examples of how video games can be a force for economic justice. By using the power of play to engage players with complex issues, game developers are helping to raise awareness about important issues and to foster a sense of empathy and understanding.
But can games really make a difference? The answer is yes, according to a growing body of research. Studies have shown that games can be an effective tool for teaching complex concepts and for promoting social change. In fact, a study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that games can be more effective than traditional teaching methods at promoting long-term learning.
Of course, games alone are not enough to solve the complex challenges of economic inequality. But by using games to raise awareness and to spark conversations, game developers are helping to build a more informed and engaged society. And that, in turn, is a critical step towards creating a more just and equitable world.
