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Suzanne Seggerman blogs at The Huffington Post
Posted by Elena Haliczer on 11-28-08

Suzanne Seggerman made her first foray as a Huffington Post blogger recently, asking ”Does Obama Play Video Games?”. Noting that the idea that games can engage players with social issues is an idea building momentum, she cites some key evidence:

“ Food Force has been downloaded more than 4 million times. Darfur…

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Study on Youth Living and Learning with New Media and Implications for Social Change Makers

Posted by Hsing Wei on 11-20-08

The results of a three-year ethnographic study, the largest study ever conducted of participation in the new media ecology by U.S. youth, was released today.  Stemming from research beginning in 2005 and spanning 23 case studies by 28 researchers and collaborators, the white paper brings a youth-centered perspective into the debates about the merits, influence, and intersection of games (and…

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Raid Gaza Advocacy Game

Posted by Hsing Wei on 01-07-09

Matching current news headlines, a recent advocacy game, Raid Gaza, has sparked some conversation.  Silly or effective?  Oversimplified treatment of a complex issue or appropriate for its target audience and purpose?  Snarky and exacerbating stereotypes rather then encouraging thoughtfulness, or a satire that is interpretable?  Developed in just a few days, and markedly different from other games on the conflict issue like PeaceMaker, the simple flash game has stimulated some interesting discussion about what makes for a good or bad game. 


Set to the background music of “Close to You,” players take on the role of an Israeli military commander using disproportionate force against Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza (depicted as meagerly reaching targets).  The Isrealis are portrayed as marshalling… Continue reading the rest of this post.

 

Exploring the News through Games

Posted by Alex Quinn on 10-01-08

With the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Journalism Program, Games for Change has launched a new initiative to explore the use of digital games to better inform and engage the public in understanding the most important public issues of the day.  Games for Change is working with journalism and game experts to develop a series of activities that highlight the best work being done in this area. Upcoming events include a panel presentation at the annual Games for Change Festival and a showcase of newsgames at the Festival Expo Night.  Games for Change is also planning and an awards ceremony honoring innovation and quality in the field.

The Knight Foundation’s Journalism Program focuses on leading journalism excellence into the digital age. … Continue reading the rest of this post.