Smart Games Changing the World?

Smart games , video games that address real world issues. Do these games games change the world? I would have to say that I feel that it wouldn’t change the world as we know it. It may serve as a start to an awareness of issues addressed in the games. For some and I say some because people aren’t really concerned with what they are doing when playing these games really. I mean it in a sense to say that when I play video games about invading Iraq as a soldier of the U.S. military I don't learn about the issues its just a game with an object to play. It does not make me want to do research on Iraq. Ultimately I only saw my self in a sense trying to beat  the game. I was concerned with getting from point A to B. To passing a level.

For example I played Ben and Jerry's Eco Mission where the object was to get to the concert in a selection of vehicles ranging from an Eco friendly to a gas guzzling behemoth. There are many obstacles that get in your way from running out of gas getting tired which lower your Eco meter. After using the Eco van and the hybrid (just to be more Eco friendly virtually) I found myself still losing. I never made it to the concert. Yet I think the Eco friendly cars are the only ones that can get you towards your destination before missing the concert. Ultimately I just felt like I was playing another game with an objective to win. Not so much thinking of the issues that were addressed. There was a take action button that popped up every ti I lost and when I clicked on the link it to told me to “Take Action” then went on to another link that sent you to a website saveourenviornment.org. From there you could do your research on global warming and the issues at hand. If you went to take all those steps after playing the game. Assuming you didn’t just exit the browser cause the game was lame.

 I think media outlets such as film and television which are visually appealing and more susceptible to picked up and viewed are a far more better outlet to spreading messages. I mean you are more likely to here or read a message if it were put on to you through commercials rather than someone walking around with a pamphlet for you to read. With messages in that for you are more likely to courteously take it or ignore it and discard it. I am glad that Former Vice President Al Gore made a movie about global warming because if it weren’t for outlets like that some would not get the message.  Putting in a DVD, going to the movies or turning on the television to most I would have to say is more appealing than picking up a book. Sad but in my case true.

Global warming is true and must be addressed. Hopefully there will be more films to come to awaken global community to any kind of threat to us globally. For smart games I would have to say though to me a little impact it doesn’t hurt.