POPULISM_G@ME

By: Christian Gibbons | Harrison Cann | Shemonti Shams

Is it ever really “us vs. them”? What is media literacy, and how is it related to extremism? How would you respond to these questions?

We made a game to find out.

In “POPULISM_G@ME”, players take the role of a student journalist whose local community becomes polarized by extremism. In progressing through it, they will come across scenarios inspired by rhetoric from actual populists, as well as by experiences from actual students at the 2017 Salzburg Academy.

“POPULISM_G@ME” is an interactive, choose-your-own adventure style Twine game. Players will have the option of taking multiple paths through the story. Though ultimately these all lead to the same end, the choices players make can alter that ending in many ways. And throughout each path, players will encounter opportunities to learn about how media affect the world, and how they can be used actively for positive change.

To begin playing, click the link below: http://philome.la/ShemontiShams/populism_gme

Art by Jason Reed.