Immigration games
Considering that other than the occasional round of Wii Tennis, I haven't played a video game since I failed to beat "Legend of Zelda" in the late 1980s, I'm not the best person to comment on the medium.
But an educational immigration game arrived on the Internets not too long ago, so I gave it a try. (OK, actually, it was kind of long ago, it got some news last year, and an official release came out in February.)
The game is from Breakthrough.tv and it's called "I Can End Deportation," or ICED, for short (a play, of course, on the agency in charge of said deportation). You pick one of five characters -- from an undocumented Mexican immigrant to a Japanese student to a girl who thinks she's a citizen -- and try to avoid getting deported, while learning about what trials immigrants, legal or not, have to suffer.
It's a conversation-starter about an aspect of immigration policy avoided by many moderates, who need to be tough on enforcement or who may simply assume that the deportation process works well enough (unlike, say, actual worksite or border enforcement). They don't worry much about the process, unless it goes seriously awry.
And though the game may be criticized as such, it isn't a primer for anyone who's actually evading authorities. Of course, the name alone makes it clear that the game makers weren't exactly trying to avoid controversy. (See what the game's creator has to say about the reaction she has received here.)
Anyway, I played until it made me sick, not because of all those violated rights (though those are nauseating in their metaphorical way), but mostly because first person perspective games make me queasy (yes, I know, pathetic).
Unlike other do-gooder games like the United Nations' "Food Force," "ICED" doesn't quite live up to the "edutainment" portmanteau. It's definitely more nerdy than fun. There are little quizzes and good deeds to perform for points, and pop-up factoids, and as far as I could tell, no violence or sex. And sadly, there's plenty of both in actual immigration enforcement -- and showing some might have made this game's message that much louder and clearer.
Two years ago, the board made note of games like this in an editorial mocking City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo for pursuing a lawsuit against an already obscene video game for containing a -- surprise! -- hidden obscene act:
Some politicians are interacting with game developers in more fruitful ways, coming up with alternatives to violent or prurient titles. A good illustration is a United Nations-sponsored video game called "Food Force." More than 3 million players registered for the game, comparing their scores -- based on conducting air drops of food, designing nutritious meals and planning a 10-year anti-hunger strategy -- with real U.N. missions.
That's no match for the heavily marketed "Grand Theft Auto" series. But it's a start.
Unfortunately for immigration advocates, the other side of the debate -- and not just the other side, but its genuinely creepy extremes -- have their own game, with GTA-level hideousness. (Link from Matthew Yglesias.)
*Photo from Breakthrough.tv.
Illegal Aliens and Immigration is NOT the same thing. Immigrant is a legal status granted by a sovereign country. We have to many folks who do not know and are ignorant or outright deceivers, confusing illegal alien workers calling them illegal immigrants with immigrants. Criminals did NOT build America; Citizens and LEGAL immigrants built it. American’s want an end to anarchy! This is NOT a Democrat, Republican, Independent issue. It's an American Issue.
Illegal aliens are criminals, those who hire them are criminals and those who aid-and-abet them are criminals.
Illegal aliens in America have NO rights. We are required by law to arrest and prosecute, deport them. (Title 8 U.S. Code) To report illegal aliens call the DHS National Hotline 1 866 DHS 2ICE. (1-866-347-2523)
No, matter your political party affiliation, and setting aside your thoughts on issues. We all need to remember what it is to be an American Citizen. We need to make sure our elected representatives obey their Oath of Office and keep their Oath of Allegiance. See http://tinyurl.com/2znnvl Know whom you are voting for.
Posted by: Dr Coles | April 04, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Your just an arragant idiot who are you to judge people only god can do that and if your not religious then mother earth is not prejudice this country or this world was not made by humans (black white etc.)we chose to make stupid rules no one is better than anyone if some people were supperior than why do all people die we all grow old and die no matter what ethnicity!
Posted by: Jay | April 04, 2008 at 04:40 PM
HI,
Thank you for taking the time to play ICED (www.icedgame.com). We created the game to show that immigration laws deny due process and violate the human rights of ALL immigrants, not just illegal immigrants. If you look at the game, you will see that four out of five of our characters are legal.
Thank you,
-Breakthrough
(www.berakthrough.tv)
Posted by: Breakthrough | April 07, 2008 at 07:57 AM
I hear the arguments pro & con on immigration, but I stand to reason that the matter on the table is not immigration, it is (ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION) and there is no doubt that it effects the quality of life of Americans at the lower income scales the most...
But what bothers me, is our elected officials like LA Mayor suggesting that it is a disservice to Americans he took an oath to represent their best interest, who are impacted daily by the ILLEGAL ALIEN COMMUNITY in the worse way, is a lack of respect for the people that put him into office.
An example of poor judgment, and leadership, and I submit the perfect storm to end his attempt to advance in the political arena, because he is putting politics before American well being.
He support an agenda to protect the unjust rights of illegal immigrent gang members, above the right to live safe and free in Los Angeles for American citizens that pay him...
Posted by: James W. | April 10, 2008 at 08:01 PM