Game Studies for Everyone

In this episode, we dive into the ongoing debate surrounding video games and their impact on society. From accusations of fostering addiction to claims of inciting violence, games have long been a target of moral panics. But how much of this is rooted in fact, and how much in fear? Join us as we explore the history of moral panics, the science behind gaming and behavior, and the cultural shifts th...

In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore the exciting potential of newsgames as a tool for delivering timely news in a fast-paced media world. Based on a Newsjam—a 36-hour event where participants collaborated to create newsgames based on current events. Can games be created quickly and effectively by non-experts? We’ll discuss the findings, including how teams with game developmen...

In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore the fascinating world of newsgames and how they’re reshaping the way we consume news. Using a case study from a major national newspaper, we dive into the challenges of creating newsgames—from the fast pace of news to the evolving game literacy of audiences. We’ll also discuss the exciting opportunities ahead, including the rise of mobile ga...

We dive into the "State of Newsgames 2020" report, which analyzes 50 newsgames from 2015 to 2020. Discover how interactive news experiences use familiar game mechanics to tackle real-world topics in short, shareable formats. We'll explore the editorial nature of newsgames, their aesthetic qualities, and how they’re shaping the future of news storytelling. Whether you're a journalist, game designer...

What if gathering public opinion could be fun and interactive? In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking research of Lindsay Grace, who explores the use of games as polling systems. Grace introduces the concept of playable polls—interactive games designed to collect player opinions and sentiment in a more engaging and effective way than traditional methods. Through the design and testing of...

In this episode, we dive into an innovative research project that explores how microgames can combat health misinformation in vulnerable communities. The researchers behind the study developed three unique microgame prototypes—a trivia game, a social media simulation, and an interactive fiction narrative—each designed to engage and educate players. Through real-world testing with healthcare provid...

n this second installment of our series, we continue to delve into the world of misinformation and disinformation games, but this time, we’re focusing on the powerful emotional and psychological effects these games can elicit. Using Excitation Transfer Theory and Transportation Theory, we’ll explore how emotions, empathy, and narrative immersion play a critical role in shaping player behavior. Dis...

In this exciting debut of our series on misinformation and disinformation, we dive into the world of disinformation games—engaging, thought-provoking interventions designed to combat the spread of fake news. We'll explore how these games are harnessing the power of play to change the way we interact with media, focusing on two major communication theories: Inoculation Theory and Transportation The...

In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore the critical design movement in indie games, led by visionary artists like Nicky Case, Lindsay Grace, and Zach Gage. These games push the boundaries of traditional game design, using gameplay to critique social conventions and question player assumptions. We’ll break down the key traits of critical games—social vs. mechanical critique, deliv...

In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore a fascinating perspective from the 2011 Digital Games Research Association Conference, : Are indie games the poetry of the gaming world? We'll dive into how independent games use poetic elements like meter, metaphor, and personification to create unique player experiences. Discover how comparing game design to literary forms like sonnets and...

In this episode, we explore how the game Factitious helps players sharpen their news literacy skills. Discover how over 500,000 players identified fake news, and the surprising patterns revealed about age, education, and performance in fighting misinformation through playful learning. Based on https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3290607.3299046

In this episode, we explore how games can lead social change by encouraging problem-solving, shifting perspectives, and inspiring action. Learn how playful strategies help tackle complex societal issues across education, policy, health, and more. Grace, L. 2024, The Patterns of Games for Leading Social Change. Journal of Leadership Studies. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21880

In this episode, we explore how persuasive games can influence societal change. Learn how games designed with macro, micro, and meta-persuasive strategies challenge norms and offer new ways to impact politics, culture, and more. From Grace, L.D. 2021, Micro, Macro and Meta-Persuasive Play to Change Society, in Persuasive Gaming in Context. Amsterdam University Press, 2021. 

In this episode of GS-E, we explore how interactive narratives and newsgames explain the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. Discover how a game, based on the Panama and Paradise Papers, uses persuasive play to unpack systemic biases in immigration policies between 2017–2021, reaching over 45,000 players with its engaging, investigative approach. Based on the paper https://dl.acm.org/doi/...

In this episode of GS-E, we dive into a fascinating intersection of play and protest. What does it mean to play as an act of rebellion? We’ll explore how parkour, skateboarding, and skywalking defy authority and embrace civil disobedience, both in the real world and in video games. Using examples from popular parkour and skateboarding games, we break down how risky-play challenges societal norms a...