Rich
The Living Force
As a reward I made the mistake of allowing a group of 13/14 year old students access a seemingly innocuous website
(Socialimpactgames.com. ) that listed a range of educational and learning games. I thought by allowing students to search and find games on social topics they felt were important then they would learn and have fun too.
The games they started playing disturbed and surprised me for a number of reasons. Mainly that they actually exsisted!
PeaceMaker
A videogame simulation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: a tool that can be used to promote a peaceful resolution among Israelis, Palestinians, and young adults worldwide. URL: http://www.peacemakergame(dot)com/
Low self esteem? Just click on smily faces
Self-Esteem - Games from McGill University
Based on research at McGill University in Canada, the site contains three Flash games for enhancing self-esteem that can be tried online.
From the site: "Imagine if you could play a computer game for five minutes each morning that would help you feel more secure and confident in yourself." URL: http://www.selfesteemgames(dot)mcgill.ca/
What was it really like in Waco? Well play the roles yourself!
Waco Ressurection
First of a projected series of "documentary" video games on ideologues by the Los Angeles artist collective C-level . The game is the first chapter of Endgames, a 3D multiplayer computer game series based on alternative utopias and apocalyptic moments.
From the site: "Waco Resurrection re-examines the clash of worldviews inherent in the 1993 conflict by asking players to assume the role of a resurrected "cult" leader in order to do divine battle against a crusading government. "
Kill the terrorists shoot-em up, lose points for hitting civilians
"September 12"
From GameGirlAdvance: "a free Shockwave game where players try to solve the terrorist problem - a sort of editorial cartoon rendered in simple simulation.
"September 12 is the first game from Powerful Robot Games, based in Uruguay. Powerful Robot is run by Gonzalo Frasca (of ludology.org), who has been studying the social implications of games for years; now he's finally glad to be using game design to trigger discussions: "It was the first game we made where every design decision was hell. Do people cry over dead terrorists?"
the most popular game choice was:
Anti-Bush Video Game
From the website: "Combines humor, opinion, and fact to bring an entertaining and informative video game adventure to people everywhere.
"The use of this medium will hopefully reach many people who have not had the time or interest to read up on some of the appalling things that have taken place in our government and society over the past four years. For those of you who are paying attention, hopefully this game has helped to clarify some of the important things at stake in the upcoming elections. I realize that this game does not cover every issue, problem, and appalling action of the Bush administration. There are too many stories to report. Some issues ended up taking a back seat to others. Just know that this is just a silly game and please inform yourself for real and read books...and most importantly...please vote."
By Starvingeyes/J. Oda.
URL: http://www(dot)emogame.com/bushgame.html
THe utterly disgusting:
Ethnic Cleansing (Political/Social)
From Wikipedia: "a racist computer game developed by Resistance Records, an underground music label specializing in Neo-Nazi and white supremacist bands. In the game, the protagonist (the player can choose either a skinhead or a Klansman) runs through a ghetto murdering black people, before descending into a subway system to murder Jews. Finally he reaches the "Jewish Control Center", where Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel, is directing plans for world domination. The player must kill Sharon to win the game.
http://resistance(dot)com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=203
Then if you feel bad you can take the quick route to heaven..
Heaven Quest
A Christian Game. From the review below: "The game utilizes 3-D graphics and stereo sound to attract you to this unique board-style game that weaves in Bible questions and lessons. The game reminds you to use prayer often to keep your grace at its maximum value, the full gift of grace. There are real Bible characters that can accompany you on your quest. They are called Bible Buddies and help you in your trials."
From Top Meadows.
what if found most disturbing was the excitement generated by shooting terroists. I asked the student what he had learnt from the game: he said 'kill terrorists'. Needless to say a lesson i never repeated.
(Socialimpactgames.com. ) that listed a range of educational and learning games. I thought by allowing students to search and find games on social topics they felt were important then they would learn and have fun too.
The games they started playing disturbed and surprised me for a number of reasons. Mainly that they actually exsisted!
PeaceMaker
A videogame simulation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: a tool that can be used to promote a peaceful resolution among Israelis, Palestinians, and young adults worldwide. URL: http://www.peacemakergame(dot)com/
Low self esteem? Just click on smily faces
Self-Esteem - Games from McGill University
Based on research at McGill University in Canada, the site contains three Flash games for enhancing self-esteem that can be tried online.
From the site: "Imagine if you could play a computer game for five minutes each morning that would help you feel more secure and confident in yourself." URL: http://www.selfesteemgames(dot)mcgill.ca/
What was it really like in Waco? Well play the roles yourself!
Waco Ressurection
First of a projected series of "documentary" video games on ideologues by the Los Angeles artist collective C-level . The game is the first chapter of Endgames, a 3D multiplayer computer game series based on alternative utopias and apocalyptic moments.
From the site: "Waco Resurrection re-examines the clash of worldviews inherent in the 1993 conflict by asking players to assume the role of a resurrected "cult" leader in order to do divine battle against a crusading government. "
Kill the terrorists shoot-em up, lose points for hitting civilians
"September 12"
From GameGirlAdvance: "a free Shockwave game where players try to solve the terrorist problem - a sort of editorial cartoon rendered in simple simulation.
"September 12 is the first game from Powerful Robot Games, based in Uruguay. Powerful Robot is run by Gonzalo Frasca (of ludology.org), who has been studying the social implications of games for years; now he's finally glad to be using game design to trigger discussions: "It was the first game we made where every design decision was hell. Do people cry over dead terrorists?"
the most popular game choice was:
Anti-Bush Video Game
From the website: "Combines humor, opinion, and fact to bring an entertaining and informative video game adventure to people everywhere.
"The use of this medium will hopefully reach many people who have not had the time or interest to read up on some of the appalling things that have taken place in our government and society over the past four years. For those of you who are paying attention, hopefully this game has helped to clarify some of the important things at stake in the upcoming elections. I realize that this game does not cover every issue, problem, and appalling action of the Bush administration. There are too many stories to report. Some issues ended up taking a back seat to others. Just know that this is just a silly game and please inform yourself for real and read books...and most importantly...please vote."
By Starvingeyes/J. Oda.
URL: http://www(dot)emogame.com/bushgame.html
THe utterly disgusting:
Ethnic Cleansing (Political/Social)
From Wikipedia: "a racist computer game developed by Resistance Records, an underground music label specializing in Neo-Nazi and white supremacist bands. In the game, the protagonist (the player can choose either a skinhead or a Klansman) runs through a ghetto murdering black people, before descending into a subway system to murder Jews. Finally he reaches the "Jewish Control Center", where Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel, is directing plans for world domination. The player must kill Sharon to win the game.
http://resistance(dot)com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=203
Then if you feel bad you can take the quick route to heaven..
Heaven Quest
A Christian Game. From the review below: "The game utilizes 3-D graphics and stereo sound to attract you to this unique board-style game that weaves in Bible questions and lessons. The game reminds you to use prayer often to keep your grace at its maximum value, the full gift of grace. There are real Bible characters that can accompany you on your quest. They are called Bible Buddies and help you in your trials."
From Top Meadows.
what if found most disturbing was the excitement generated by shooting terroists. I asked the student what he had learnt from the game: he said 'kill terrorists'. Needless to say a lesson i never repeated.
