DANM 250E: Game Design + Documentary Storytelling + Social Activism Main Menu Syllabus Community Projects Descriptions Frequently Used Resources

Week 5

23079

November 2, 2017

Much like the Unite States Holocaust Memorial Museum, it is very effective for "players" to experience an immersive walkthrough. When I was eight years old my walk through experience was made "relatable" or hit my core when  I saw abandoned teddy bears. That was when I realized that the Holocaust was a tangible thing, when it was made understandable for a child like me.

What's difficult about this Columbine Massacre RPG is it's sensitivity, it is difficult to want to make these things tangible or understandable. Although, to make the perspective of the "shooter" playable is understandable. In order to gain insight on "why would someone do this", or "what was going on in their mind", etc., causes players to be disturbed in their own sense. Especially hearing Nirvana being played, it's oddly enjoyable, but in my opinion, it's supposed to display a sense of rebellion and pain occurring within the characters.
It is disturbing to see the kind of language being used, to see the Step-by-step process, to see the actions made and the lengths taken to accomplish their act of terrorism.

I personally would say that this speaks to the human condition.

Ultimately, I believe that the creator achieved their goal in challenging the society one in which he tells everyone to "look in the mirror." After all, everyone believes they are the "good guy".
 

This page has paths:

  1. Alexis' Journal Entries Alexis Guzman

This page has replies:

  1. The Human Condition Casondra Sobieralski This is an interesting take on the Columbine game. Theatre, literature, music, and more traditional visual art forms all tackle "tough stuff" that is part of the human condition. So why do we not trust video games to do a thoughtful job? I supposed much of the knee-jerk fear comes from a stereotype we hold about gamers, that they are all Gamer Gate misogynists and war crazed eye glazed Jolt Cola infused youth with no empathy and no wisdom. The problem is, Gamer Gate showed us that a lot of gamers DO fit this stereotype, so how do we get a bigger megaphone to the many gamers who do NOT? --to the many gamers who might represent the complete antithesis of the stereotype even? Maybe it comes down not to gamers and gaming, but to marketing. He who hath the more marketing dollars gets to brand the art form. It's a multi-faceted issue that will take time to revise. Getting more voices into video games and teaching more literacy around video games are the first steps.