The Politicization of Video Games and the Games Media

Colin Campbell , The Politicization of Video Games and the Games Media. Video games are now part of the culture wars. Their content is used by critics and consumers to stake claim to political positions, some of which are extreme. Designers use games to make powerful political arguments. This is a process that has accelerated in the last five years, even while gaming's most powerful publishers have sought to keep their heads down. Where is it likely to go in the next five years?

Colin Campbell is a senior reporter at Polygon. He's been reporting on the video game industry since the 1980s. He was the recipient of the 2011 Games Media Legend Award. He is also the author of Piranha Frenzy, a novel about corruption in game journalism. Colin lives in Santa Cruz, CA.

Interactive media and games increasingly pervade and shape our society. In addition to their dominant roles in entertainment, videogames play growing roles in education, arts, science and health. This seminar series brings together a diverse set of experts to provide interdisciplinary perspectives on these media regarding their history, technologies, scholarly research, industry, artistic value and potential future. As the speakers and title suggest, the series also provides a topical lens for the diverse aspects of our lives.