The excerpt discusses the troubling concept of gamifying real-world suffering, particularly through the example of video games released by the White House. These games, focusing on immigration issues, trivialize serious social and political topics.
One game, “Rio Run,” involves players “patrolling” the U.S.-Mexico border and scoring points for deportations, while another, “Build the Wall, Zombie Border Siege,” was removed due to copyright issues. These games are not just entertainment; they aim to desensitize players to the harsh realities of immigration policies and foster a sense of community around exclusionary ideologies.
This tactic isn’t novel; historical examples include Nazi propaganda games that normalized hatred against Jews. Such games reflect a disturbing trend of making serious issues seem less severe by turning them into contests. Ultimately, they encourage players to view others not as human beings but as obstacles to overcome, reinforcing divisive narratives in society.
