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I believe that video games are not a good method to educate people on complex social issues largely because the games usually only present one side of an issue, often for entertainment value, and the opposing ideas are ignored. For a video game to be effective in educating players on a social issue, it must be jointly developed by groups on opposite sides of the issue, and the gameplay tailored in such a way that both sides are equally presented, and the game itself is "issue neutral", leaving the player to make up their mind as to which side they agree with. In addition, "winning the game" must be equally fulfilling regardless of which side of the issue is chosen.

Video games are a prominent part of society, and are increasing in popularity daily. The average age of video game players is over thirty, and the generation that grew up with them will probably continue playing well into middle age and beyond. Major universities offer extensive coursework and degree programs in the creation and programming of video games. Movies are based on them, television shows exist solely to promote them and offer viewers the latest secrets and winning techniques. Video games even have their own award shows. So the opportunity exists for them to be used as a highly effective tool for social change.

But it must be done correctly if it is to succeed. When a game is made by a group with an obvious agenda, it will be largely ignored by society, and the desired change will fail to happen. Indeed, if the motives are transparent enough, their own product may create a backlash that will put their goal further out of reach.

So, until video games are created by a team that fairly represents all aspects of a social issue, it won't be an effective tool for change. The creators on each side must acknowledge and accept that the majority of society will play their game, and after presented with the issue, may well decide that the beliefs of a particular side are not the ones that they will hold to. In other words, the creators must be willing to accept the possibility that the stance they're taking on an issue is the wrong one. When that happens, they will be able to create an unbiased game that will truly educate players on the issue, and leave them free to make up their own minds.

Until that happens, all that society is able to learn from video games is that, in a shooting war, we're likely to die very quickly.

Learn more about this author, Craig Cillessen.
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