Video Games and Journalism

v 2.1

• Games can deliver journalism to new audiences

• Games are a powerful way of doing that.

Reaching them

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The audience is made of gamers.

. . . they start young, and they don’t stop.

% of each age group in UK playing games, 2005:

Audience Reach

Average age of a gamer goes up by 1 every year

This isn’t “Journalism for kids”

Now the average gamer is 33.

It’s about reaching our audience where they are.

Journalism Delivery

But can a game really deliver journalism?

So they play – especially the young ones.

Games are stupid, right?

Not all of them.

In some games you have to perform subtle, complex tasks.

Sim City Tax policy

Is About

Infrastructure networks

Zoning laws

sold 18 million copies

Games are About Learning

Fun = Gaining Skills

Key Moments in gameplay are achievements

“I got it! I beat level 10!”

The process of gaining skills is what makes games fun.

MAJOR JASON AMERINEMAJOR JASON AMERINEAmerica's Army: Real HeroAmerica's Army: Real Hero

America’s Army teaches you how to be a soldier – following orders, knowing how they do things in the real US Armed Forces

Darfur is Dying Cost £25,000

Took 10 weeks

250,000 hits per month

Over 2 m unique viewers in 2006

Three Learning Modes

Storytelling Playing

Lecturing

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Getting involved in a game challenge is a powerful learning mode.

The challenges can be very sophisticated.

To complete them successfully, you have to learn.

You can learn about all sorts of things.

Games are Teachers

Or ditch an abusive boyfriend.

Like how to fly a jet.

Or serve ice cream.

We can do this with journalism.

For more info, go to http://trippenbach.wordpress.com