How do we make a game about protest?

Activism has a goal in mind. Something about the status quo is broken. 

Sometimes the goal of activism is to highlight the enormity of the problem, such as the climate. Other times it is a specific change which can be made, and you need to persuade a decision maker. In all circumstances, protest involves communicating a message. 

How can we communicate this message to a specific audience in a manner which is attractive and fun for them?

Considering the message

• What’s the issue? What’s the problem you want to protest about?
• What is the current situation? What are you dissenting from?
• What change should be made?
• Who needs to act? What do they need to do?
• Can you summarise your key message in one sentence?

Considering the intended audience

• Who are the main audience (internal or external)?
• How do you want your audience to feel after the game?
• How are you going to persuade them to play the game?
• Is your ask for a specific action, or to shift the norm?
• Are you seeking to provide historical or educational context?
• Do you want to propose a solution to the problem?
• Can you summarise why your audience would pick up the game?

Considering the gameplay

• How complex/long do you think your game should be?
• How many players should your game support?
• Is your game team-based, cooperative, competitive, solo…?
• How will the game rely on player interaction?
• What balance of luck and strategy?
• What other key mechanics will the game use?
• Can you summarise how the game is played?

How do these three fit together? A game should combine mechanics and theme in a way which leaves the audience with the intended emotional response.

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