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.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Fitting into Genre's: Analyzing Online games
Posted by samjennignsred at 10:43 AM
Labels: ENC 1102, Red, Video game list
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4 comments:
The way you depicted Darfur is Dying was amazing. It really made me feel like going to whoever i could find that could help end this genocide. It really kills me how oblivious we are in general to what is going on outside our borders. The activism Game seems to be a good game to play if you really want to get your point across and not want to deal with people who dont agree... I believe that Darfur is Dying displays more of a message that the activism game, and it really motivates me as well. good job.
I really like your post. The way you analyzing them is very good. Even though I don't play Darfur is Dying, but I can get the idea from you post. There are many issues that happening in other countries and some of them need our help to end the nightmare for people who living in those countries. I think Darfur is Dying deliver a very good message through the players and maybe some people who play this game actually notice what happening in that region with those people and give some help. You did a very great job.
You really hit it our of the park on your darfur is dying critique and analysis. I would like to add however that when I play the game, I feel a sense of "hokeyness" about it. Even in class there were those that laughed about the silliness of running to hide in some rocks. I do after playing the game feel I have a better general grasp regarding seriousness of the actual situation which I didn't have before playing. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly agree with your eloquent statement. Thank you for sharing.
Firstly, I wanted to thank you for your passion. No doubt we need more people in the world to feel the same way, to play the game and want to support the cause with force. Your description was extremely effective and I will admit that I didnt feel exactly the same way when I played it, but you really opened my eyes to a world beyond the game: to action. Darfur is Dying is only one of the many games that really show how ignorant we are as Americans. Your description delved into that well and I completely agree with everything that you said. Well done!
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