Simulating current events: Bogost attempts a Paris riot

Ian Bogost is thinking about news games this week, focusing on Paris Riots, a nearly-completed French game.  He also notes Kumawar, which we've noted before, and which received some good attention at the Swedish conference this summer.

It's a useful sign, these games, for the current status of computer gaming in world culture (because this ain't just a US thing).  They've become used enough, capable of being produced and distributed quickly enough, that they can occupy a cultural space akin to Law and Order's "ripped from the headlines" approach, for instance.  I expect we'll see more anticipatory games, imaginations of what's about to hit the headlines.

Comments

[joy]

yes, my outfit is thinking about similar things in terms of how to transform games into "simulations" to enhance cognitive flexibility (thinking at this stage--not developing).

this link is useful, so thanks