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Is it Possible to Solve Social Problems with a Video Game? Activist Gamers are Betting on it.

Video games have become ever more popular in recent years and have surpassed Hollywood in box office revenues. As the technology matures, a new trend is emerging: harnessing the power of this popular medium to bring about awareness of social issues, with the potential to solve them in a game. Fighting poverty. Fostering leadership skills in inner city youth. Understanding the human rights crisis in Darfur. Seems like a neat idea and package, but will it work? Activist gamers are betting that digital video games will provide a platform that is highly engaging, challenging, empowering and educational by nature.

In late June hundreds of nonprofits, partners in the gaming industry, local and state governments, foundations, and artists convened at the Parsons New School for Design, in New York City, for the third annual Games for Change Conference. Games for Change (G4C) provides support, visibility and shared resources to organizations and individuals using digital games for social change. The 2006 conference showcased state of the art gaming and evaluated outcomes achieved since the conference's inception in 2004. G4C acts as a national and international hub to help organizations network and develop videogame projects beyond their traditional expertise.

The 2006 conference showcased state of the art gaming and evaluated outcomes achieved since the conference's inception in 2004. G4C acts as a national and international hub to help organizations network and develop videogame projects beyond their traditional expertise.

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