There are many other games that seem to be trying to convey a message, teach a lesson, or change attitudes. They are often classified as “serious games” or “games for change” or even educational games. But do players know when these games are going to use different rhetorical gadgets and strategies? And given that games are unique among all the forms of media that can try to do this kind of thing, can games do that by getting people to play games? Is it possible to understand the rhetoric of a game based on its systems, mechanics, and gameplay without clearly explaining the message? Or with it?
This is the type of question I will be answering in this episode with the help of a guest expert.
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