Outline for Paper One

THESIS:
Examining the overall effectiveness of the use of video games in getting young adults involved in global political and social issues. Providing brief minor supports for each. Segway statement into Body One.

BODY ONE:
Brief description of the actually game "Darfur is Dying". Analysis of the effectiveness of different aspects in the game. Pros and Cons to game's overall design. Segway statement into Body Two.

BODY TWO:
Brief description of the actually game "The Activism Game". Analysis of the effectiveness of different aspects in the game. Pros and Cons to game's overall design. Segway statement into Conclusion.

CONCLUSION:
Basic wrap up of the two games outlining basic effectiveness of each in their struggle to get people (in this case young adults) involved in the cause. Brief summary of the differences and how they made them more or less effective. Closing statement.

Fitting into Genre's: Analyzing Online games

The two games I chose to analyze for this assignment were "Darfur is Dying" and "The Activism Game", two serious games. In the first game (Darfur is Dying) we are confronted with the situation present in today's Sudan. The conflict of a civil war and a geonocide are cause for alarm all over the world but getting people involved is the situation that presents itself. In "Darfur is Dying" the designers allow you to experience a small bit of life in Darfur, including foraging for water while evading the ever present militia forces. Should you be captured, your taken to a refugee camp facing the risk of disease, starvation, dehydration, malnourishment, rape, and even murder. This game is a serious game meant to not so much entertain as inform the player through an interactive manner. Playing off of the emotions of the player it grabs hold of your heart and makes you delve into the conflict whole heartedly. Even presenting the chance for you to take an active role in the conflict in real life, writing to congressmen.

In the second game, "The Activism Game" the player is being pulled into the world of political and social activism running over six minigames at once. Covering subject matter like economics, military, education, and security just to name a few. The game is a hectic whirlwind of franticly trying to appease everyone in each sector. This game allows the player to logically plan out how to balance these important issues as well as making them choose which are more important then others. This game provides an open arena for anyone to take a chance at political and social activism without being eaten alive by the outside world.

In both cases I agree with the manner in which they went about presenting they're subject matter, however I feel that "Dying in Darfur" is not only a better game in concept but better in getting their point across and offering chances to get involved with the cause. Being involved in the conflicts on the African continent myself I feel that this game has the possibilities to reach millions more people in an easier and more convincing way then most simple day to day pamphlets. Getting people to care is often harder then most would think, but this game serves an important purpose and provides a strong stand point for information delivery. "The Activism Game" is not a bad game in concept but simply to hectic to be a positive experience, I myself got frustrated and quit about halfway through. I do however, feel that political and social activism is important to the survival of our world. Finding a cause that you truly belive in and making a difference can be the most rewarding feeling in the world.