Last week in response to the Parkland shooting, US President Donald Trump held a meeting with game executives where an 88 second video highlighting violence in video games was shown.
Non-profit organisation Games for Change has made a video in response. A video that highlights the beauty, wonder and joy of video games.
Violence in video games is a topic that never seems to go away. People involved in the meeting with President Trump tried to argue that there’s a causal link between video game violence and real world violence. There isn’t one.
But violence isn’t all that video games are about. They are also provide beauty, wonder and joy. They are a social outlet and a way to build communities. That’s why Games for Change have made their own video.
Games for Change is a non-profit organisation that helps game creators drive real-world change using games and technology that help people to learn, improve their communities, and contribute to make the world a better place. So when they saw the highlight reel that played at the White House they wanted to challenge the misdirected blame put on video games.
The video – which also includes 88 seconds of game footage – shows clips from 21 different games. Games ranging from Minecraft to Monument Valley. Games like Journey that are about working together. Games like Life is Strange and Firewatch that tell unique stories. Games like Breath of the Wild that let you experience the joy of exploring.
The video concludes with a message:
To all game creators and players.
Thank you.
#GameOn
It’s easy to get caught up in arguments. To focus on the bad and try to tell people why they’re wrong to worry about it. Sometimes it’s nice to embrace the good instead.
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