The World is Listening... But Games Aren't Talking

In this 2016 session, UC Santa Cruz's Michael John shares his stories and some ideas about bringing game design out to the world beyond entertainment.

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[Dude]

Knowing games for change are things you can already make right now is pretty amazing.

[MoosieSingh]

I've been thinking a lot about serious games this year and I wish there were more serious games out there to play and learn from.

I've begun working on a game about student loans and taking gigs to try to make enough money to pay off those loans, with loans going up via it's interest as you play. Trying to make a statement via the system. I only get to work on it here and there, when I have free time, since game development isn't my FT job.

[menaceinfrills]

I guess they've never heard of Metal Gear Solid?

[sirdiealot]

What was the message of this talk? That there is such a thing as Serious Games? That you can use them to teach people how to make their own nukes?

[AtteKym]

Pretty entertaining talk, but not much to do with game development I think.

[Dunklevids]

Seems like they're really lowering the bar for GDC talks nowadays.

[MarcinP]

Great talk, I am just taken aback by the fact that US administration had a game Tzar. I hope there is no taxpayer money involved in any of that.