Game for Change

To begin, here is a TED Talk from Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie talking about the consequences of the uniformity and unity of media in 'The Danger of a Single Story.' This is your assigned viewing for the week, so be sure to reference it in your artist's statement next week.

  

 As a reminder, here is the assignment description for the Game for Change.

Each student will create a video game using Twine that raises awareness about a particular social issue that he/she feels has been inadequately addressed in public discourse (and mainstream media). Students' artist statements must refer to at least 3 research sources that address this issue (including news stories, scholarly works, documentaries, etc.), and situate their game (the perspectives it represents and the experience it provides) in relation to these sources. Students should consider the aesthetic presentation of their ideas, the information provided, the political perspective represented, and the way in which the game encourages engagement (in the game and the issue itself).

I understand that creating a video game might seem a daunting task for some of you, but we've had some great success in recent semesters with the assignment and I'm confident that this semester will do the same. Remember to:

1. Select a social issue that interests you 
2. Conduct some research to learn more about the issue and understand how it is typically represented in media
3. Create a concept for an interactive text-based game that raises awareness about the issue.  

And for Thursday, please complete the following:

• View the TED talk by Chimamanda Adiche above and play the rest of Depression Quest. Be prepared to discuss both in class on Thursday.
• Especially if you don't feel playing Depression Quest would help you, visit Twinery.org . Do some tutorials, play some games. This should give you an idea of the types of games you might potentially create for the assignment. It's also pretty fun. 
• Select a social issue you would like to explore in this assignment. It could be air pollution, gender inequality, animal rights, freedom of religion, gun control--whatever you're interested in. Even better, whatever you're passionate (or potentially passionate) about. 
• Then, start your research. Remember that in your artist's statement, you need to reference at least 3 research sources. So, get started. Read a thing or two before Thursday.