Gaming and Politics: How Games are Tackling Political Issues

In recent years, video games have been increasingly used as a medium to explore and address political issues. From examining social injustice to questioning the morality of war, video games have become a platform for political expression and commentary. In this article, we will explore the ways in which games are tackling political issues and discuss some of the most notable examples.

One of the most prominent examples of a game that tackles political issues is “This War of Mine”. The game is set during a fictional conflict and puts the player in the shoes of a group of civilians trying to survive in a war-torn city. The game is designed to challenge players’ beliefs about war and conflict and to highlight the human cost of armed conflict. The game was critically acclaimed for its emotional impact and its ability to convey the realities of war to players.

Another game that tackles political issues is “Papers, Please”. The game puts the player in the role of a border guard working at a fictional country’s checkpoint. The game challenges players to make difficult decisions about who to let into the country and who to turn away. The game is designed to highlight the complex political and social issues surrounding immigration and border control. The game received critical acclaim for its ability to convey the moral dilemmas faced by border guards and the impact of their decisions on individuals and families.

“Fortnite” is another game that has become a platform for political expression. In 2020, the game hosted a screening of a film by director Christopher Nolan. The screening was a demonstration of the game’s potential as a platform for hosting large-scale events and for engaging with a global audience. More recently, the game hosted a concert by rapper Travis Scott, which attracted over 12 million viewers. These events demonstrate the potential for video games to bring people together and to provide a platform for political and social expression.

Video games have also been used to explore social injustice and discrimination. “Detroit: Become Human” is a game that explores issues surrounding the treatment of androids and their relationship with humans. The game is designed to challenge players’ beliefs about what it means to be human and to question the social and political systems that underpin our society. The game was praised for its ability to address complex political issues in an engaging and accessible way.

In conclusion, video games have become a platform for political expression and commentary. Games such as “This War of Mine”, “Papers, Please”, and “Detroit: Become Human” have become notable examples of games that tackle political issues and challenge players’ beliefs. The increasing use of games as a platform for social and political expression highlights the potential of games to bring people together and to engage with complex social and political issues in a meaningful way. As video games continue to evolve and expand, we can expect to see more games that explore and address political issues in the future.