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a forum for the uses of videogames in advertising, politics, education, and other everyday activities, outside the sphere of entertainment



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Ian Bogost (editor)
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Free Political Game for Politicians
January 5, 2009 - by Ian Bogost

Positech, the single-man UK developer of simulation games like Kudos and Democracy 2, has announced that it will give away copies of the latter game to any politician worldwide.

In his Free Copies for Politicians announcement, Positech proprietor Cliff Harris describes the need thusly:

The problem with running a country is that everyone who does it is entirely unqualified for the job. Every new president or prime-minister is having his or her first go at it. There are no 'practice' countries for people to have a go with before they try doing it for real. Thoery is great, but experience is better...

The press release I received was even bolder: "Video game developers save global economy, Usher in age of politician gamers." Publicity stunt? Sure, Harris has a history of 'em. But a clever stunt, one that frames games as positive cultural tools in what is arguably a more sophisticated way than the industry usually musters.




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