Game Studies for Everyone

Part 2 of Fake News: Combatting Misinformation & Disinformation Through Video Games

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. Discover how carefully crafted emotional responses and immersive storytelling are used to heighten awareness and resilience to fake news in games like Fake It to Make It and FakeYou!.

We’ll also discuss the role of empathy—how aligning player sympathies with the victims rather than the creators of misleading information can profoundly impact behavior in the real world. Join us as we break down the psychology behind these games and how they create lasting emotional impressions that help players fight back against the tide of misinformation.

Tune in for a deeper understanding of the emotional and narrative strategies at play in this critical battle for media literacy!

Source: https://hdl.handle.net/10125/107025

Microgames vs. Health Misinformation: A Game-Changing Approach

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 providers, community educators, and the target audience, the interactive fiction narrative emerged as the most engaging and impactful, showcasing the power of storytelling in promoting behavior change.

Join us as we uncover the potential of microgames as cost-effective and powerful tools for tackling health misinformation head-on. Discover how these bite-sized games could reshape health education and empower communities to make informed decisions. If you're passionate about health, gaming, or innovative solutions to modern challenges, this episode is a must-listen!

Grace, L. Orrego Dunleavy, V., Ahn, R., Mayo, D. 2024 . "Designing Game Based Microgames as Intervention for Health Misinformation", The 57th Hawaii International Conference on Systems Science (HICSS), Oahu Hawaii, January 2024. https://hdl.handle.net/10125/107047

5-Minute Games You Should Know: Playable Polls – A New Era of Opinion Gathering Through Games

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 three prototype games focused on identifying fake news, Grace reveals how these playable polls can gather meaningful data while keeping players entertained.

We'll take you behind the scenes of the third prototype, tested at an international conference with 287 play sessions, and explore the potential of this innovative method to transform how we understand public perception. Whether you're into gaming, data collection, or just curious about the future of polling, this episode is one you won't want to miss!

https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3334480.3375230

 

The Rise of Newsgames: Exploring the State of Interactive Games & Journalism

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, or just curious, this episode uncovers the current trends in newsgame development.

Based on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcFvoAOBWDM

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342664738_A_snapshot_analysis_of_interactives_toys_and_games_in_journalism_and_allied_industries_STATE_OF_NEWSGAMES_2020

https://www.amazon.com/State-Newsgames-2020-interactives-journalism/dp/1716907527

 

Newsgames: The Future of News Delivery or Too Much for Newsrooms?

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 gaming and low-cost development tools, which are making newsgames a timely and accessible medium for serious journalism.

Grace, L., Treanor, M., Totten, C. and McCoy, J. 2016. A Case Study in Newsgame Creation: Why Game Designers and Journalists are Still Learning to Work Together, 66th International Communication Conference, Fukuoka, Japan

Can Games Keep Up with the News? Inside the Newsjam Experiment

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 development experience produced the most impactful games and what this means for the future of news delivery.

https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3196697.3196702

 

Games, Addiction, and Violence: Unpacking the Moral Panics

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 that shape our understanding of games today. Are games truly as dangerous as some claim, or is the conversation missing something bigger? Tune in for a short, thoughtful discussion on the intersection of gaming, society, and the stories we tell ourselves.

The Rise of eSports: Mental Agility and the Shift in Modern Values

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of eSports, exploring how its rapid rise mirrors evolving social values in the digital age. We’ll discuss how eSports, much like traditional sports, showcase exceptional skills—but with a twist. Instead of physical dominance, eSports champions mental agility, strategic thinking, and problem-solving prowess.

Our conversation will focus on how this shift reflects a broader cultural change, where society increasingly prizes cognitive skills over physical strength. From the complexities of digital environments to the role of mental sharpness in mate selection, we’ll unpack how eSports may symbolize a new era in how we define success and skill. Join us as we examine the intersection of play, culture, and the changing landscape of human values.

References:

Grace, L. eSports as Evolution: Shifting Social Values in Sport, Future of Information and Communication Conference, San Francisco, CA, March 2023

Jordan-Vallverdú, V., Plaza-Navas, M. A., Raya, J. M., & Torres-Pruñonosa, J. (2024). The intellectual structure of esports research. Entertainment Computing, 49, 100628.

Brown, S.L.: Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Penguin (2009)

Kaplan, H.S., Gangestad, S.W.: Optimality approaches and evolutionary psychology. In: The Evolution of Mind: Fundamental Questions and Controversies. pp. 121–129 (2007)