The Socially Conscious Gamer’s Manifesto
Winter 2009 Issue
Features
- From the Editors
- Craft Check: Bead Sprite Magnets
Interviews
- Industry Interview: Karen Clark, Project Manager at Bioware
- Industry Interview: Britney Brimhall, Himalaya Studios
Articles
- A Gaming Con for Tucson
Author: Robyn Fleming
- This Is Our World Too: Preventing Real Victims of Virtual Rape
Author: Casey Fiesler
- G.I.R.L. Power?
Author: Amy M Hopper
- Killing Grannies, Slaughtering Monsters and Leveling the F*** Up
Author: Oliver Saenz
- I Am a Gamer
Author: Kialio
Robyn reports on Tucson's first ever gaming convention, RinCon '08.
Casey reports on the ways in which virtual sexual assault can impact on gamers.
Amy investigates Sony Entertainment Online's new "G.I.R.L." scholarship program.
Oliver examines the ways in which games apply different moral and ethical philosophies.
Kialio discusses why the behavior of self-identified "gamers" had made her reluctant to embrace the label.
Gamer Stories
Reviews
Odds 'n Ends
The gaming industry is growing up and we — gamers and professionals alike — need to grow up with it. Beyond just asking games to be looked on as artistic expressions, we need to educate ourselves on the issues surrounding games and encourage discourse on those matters. It is not enough for us to be merely gamers, we must strive to be socially conscious gamers and to encourage others to be the same.
The socially conscious gamer is someone who tries to foster an environment where intelligent, respectful and robust conversations can take place. They are not afraid to read, or write, critiques that rip to shreds a game, company, or genre that they love. They are open-minded and willing to learn about how sexism, racism, and other social problems affect and in turn are reinforced by games.
The socially conscious gamer is also someone who is willing to fight for, or, at the very least, support those who fight for, the rights of gamers. They need to be ready and willing not only to challenge those who attack games from a position of ignorance, but also companies within the industry who are more than happy to exploit gamers’ ignorance by adding invasive and unnecessary software.
Ultimately, the socially conscious gamer is someone — whether that be a gamer, industry professional, or simply a lover of art in all of its forms — who loves games and wishes to see the industry flourish.
I’m a socially conscious gamer. Are you?
