Games
Confronting the Harsh Reality: A Groundbreaking Game Tackles School Shootings
In a bold move to raise awareness and spur action, a new video game titled "The Final Exam" has been created by the organization Change the Ref. This game places players in a realistic school setting, where they must navigate the harrowing experience of an active shooter scenario. The game's creators hope to reach a new audience – gamers – and use this unconventional platform to highlight the urgent need for gun reform in the United States.Immersing Players in the Harsh Realities of School Shootings
Confronting the Grim Statistics
The game's release comes at a time when school shootings have become a tragic reality for far too many students across the country. According to the article, as of September 6, at least 46 school shootings have taken place nationally this school year, and an average of 78 school shootings happened in each of the past three years. By creating a game that simulates these horrific events, Change the Ref aims to bring the issue to the forefront and compel players to confront the harsh realities faced by students and educators.Immersing Players in the Chaos
The Final Exam is designed to provide a visceral and immersive experience for players. The game begins with the sound of gunshots and screams, immediately plunging the player into the chaos of an active shooter situation. Players must navigate through empty rooms and disorderly halls, encountering obstacles such as makeshift barricades left by students and faculty in a desperate attempt to slow down the shooter. Throughout the game, players are prompted to hide, quiet their breathing, and create barricades to escape, mirroring the real-life actions taken by those caught in such a nightmare scenario.Educating Through Gameplay
The game's creators have meticulously designed the experience to be as true to life as possible, drawing from data and information gathered from real-world school shooting incidents. The length of the gameplay, for example, is designed to match the typical duration of such events. Additionally, players are tasked with collecting information about five gun control bills, which they must secure in order to "win" the game by escaping the school building.Challenging the Narrative
The game's creation is a direct response to the argument that violent video games can contribute to real-world violence. Change the Ref's co-founders, Manuel and Patricia Oliver, argue that the game serves as an educational tool and an effective means of understanding the policies that could help end the gun violence epidemic in the United States. By placing players directly into the "horrific reality" of a school shooting, the game aims to challenge the notion that video games are the root of the problem and instead demonstrate how they can be used to raise awareness and advocate for change.Sparking Meaningful Dialogue
The Final Exam is not intended to be a traditional "win-or-lose" game. As the game's creative director, Josh Gross, states, "the fact that there's a world where we felt the need to create this game means we're already losing." The game's purpose is not to provide a sense of victory, but rather to spark meaningful dialogue and drive action towards legislative change that can make schools safer for students and educators alike.A Call to Action
By immersing players in the harrowing reality of a school shooting, Change the Ref hopes to reach a new audience and inspire them to become advocates for gun reform. The game's creators believe that by bringing their message into the gaming universe, they can effectively reach those who may have previously been disconnected from the issue. The Final Exam serves as a powerful call to action, challenging players to confront the harsh realities of gun violence and to become agents of change in their own communities.
