With this workshop, we aim to show examples of how activists can use video games as a tool for reaching out to new audiences and leverage their causes amongst them. As an interactive narrative media, video games present an unprecedented potential for empathy that can be harnessed into grass-root activism.
Session will provide an overview of how video games connect with human rights through real examples, and then move on to
collaborative brainstorming on ideas on how game mechanics and streaming can be used for engagement.
The goal of our session is to shed light on the untapped potential of video games as a tool for engagement, as well as raise awareness around the most pressing issues of video game policy.
Due to lockdown around the globe, the number of gamers had a tremendous increase, and the time is ripe to reach out to those audiences to leverage our causes. We aim to provide participants with a sound understanding of what is happening in the video game space, as well as working on collaborative design of practices and spaces moving forward.
We would like this session to raise interest and kickstart future cooperation on a "video games for activism Game Jam". Game Jams are spaces for amateur and professional video game creation, with different tools and skills set. We would love to conduct a future game jam on human rights centered video games, that could address these topics through a different medium and help to reach out to people outside activists communities.
How will you deal with varying numbers of participants in your session?:We aim to have a very participatory and interactive session, with a brief demonstration on streaming platforms and showcasing examples of video games that address human rights issues.
Depending on the number of participants and knowledge about the video game scene, topics and structures of the session could be easily adapted for newcomers and veterans alike, and their interest showed through chat.
Session will use a unique hashtag ( #MozGameChangers) to amplify in social media the outcomes as well as ideas presented in the space.
Known as “abogamer,” I am a lawyer specialized in artificial intelligence and video games policy, and BKC affiliate. Co-founder of Women In Games Argentina, a collective working towards diversity
Javier is Access Now's Policy Director.