It’s getting down to the wire for the 9th Annual Games for Change Festival. Get your ticket before they’re all gone: http://gamesforchange.org/festival2012/attend/
All this month, we’re chatting with the nominees for this year’s Games for Change Awards. This time, it’s time to talk with Dae Chan Im from JCE, developer of Nanu Planet (www.greengrim.org/intro2.jce?request_locale=en). “Nanu,” which is Korean for “divided,” tells the story of two space explorers who get separated on a planet split in two that serves as an allegory for Korea’s DMZ, or de-militarized zone. Nanu Planet was funded by Gyeonggi-do, Gyeonggi Digital Contents Agency, Samsung, JCE. Nanu Planet is nominated for Knight News Game, which recognize games that feature current events or that exist as a news platform to engage individuals and communities.
Games for Change: Hi Dae Chan, let’s dive right in. Who did you create Nanu Planet for?
Dae Chan Im: All the people who want to know about the division of Korea. I want to tell those people that division is not just about a divided country. It’s about people who miss their families and friends. You can experience different endings depending on how you play. I think that makes this game unique.
G4C: So what motivates you to create impactful games like Nanu Planet?
DCI: Lots of people usually think games are a bad influence on children. I want to change what people think about games with social impact games. We can share many real issues without a lot of difficulty with this kind of game. I think social impact games can help make this world better and make people happier. That’s why we made Nanu Planet.
G4C: Has anyone in particular influenced you in creating social impact games?
DCI: Susanna Oh from G4C Korea. She taught me lots of things about social impact games. She’s trying hard to make people pay attention to what’s going on in this world and what are we supposed to do about it using game. Her passion is so impressive.
G4C: Last question: what’s next for you and JCE?
DCI: I’m concentrating on servicing our previous line-up of games, but I also want to make games that can touch people’s hearts. Of course, they should be fun, too.
G4C: Absolutely. Thank you, Dae Chan!
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Tickets for the Festival will no longer be on sale after June 8 and no tickets are sold on site! Get yours today: http://gamesforchange.org/festival2012/attend/
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