Week 2 [Tori Rojas]

Why do the advergames Tooth Protector and Escape work? Tooth Protector and Escape are effective because they are engaging and interactive, successfully blending entertainment with their marketing goals. Tooth Protector works by using a fun, competitive game format to promote dental care, while Escape leverages narrative and decision-making, keeping players engaged with the brand. Both games create memorable experiences that associate positive emotions with the advertised product.

What makes Chase the Chuckwagon and Shark Bait fail? Chase the Chuckwagon and Shark Bait fail because they lack depth and meaningful engagement. These games do not build a strong connection between the player’s actions and the brand, and they don’t create an experience that resonates beyond the gameplay. The focus on simplistic mechanics instead of interactive storytelling or strategic depth makes them forgettable and ineffective in achieving their marketing objectives.

What does Volvo’s Drive for Life accomplish? Volvo’s Drive for Life campaign uses a strong narrative to promote the safety features of their vehicles. By incorporating real-world scenarios and demonstrating how the car’s safety features work, it engages players in a way that highlights the brand’s commitment to safety. It accomplishes the goal of connecting the brand with reliability, trust, and concern for consumer well-being.

What company used in-advergame advertising? Coca-Cola is one example of a company that used in-advergame advertising. By creating branded video games, they aimed to connect their product with interactive experiences, making the brand more engaging for younger audiences.

What was one of the first home-console advergames, and what beverage was it for? One of the first home console advergames was Pepsi Man, which was released for the PlayStation in 1999. The game was used to promote Pepsi, using its mascot in a platformer format to create a memorable link between the beverage and the game.

What makes the toilet training game sophisticated, and do you agree? The toilet training game is sophisticated because it tackles a real-world challenge in a meaningful way, using interactive mechanics to mirror the emotional journey of learning and success. It blends entertainment with practical life skills, which makes the experience educational yet engaging. I agree that its sophisticated design mirrors how games can influence behavior beyond simple entertainment.

What do advergames and anti-advergames have in common, and what principles do they share? Advergames and anti-advergames share a focus on influencing consumer behavior through interactive media. Both aim to shape perceptions, either by promoting or critiquing products and behaviors. They also utilize persuasive principles, whether to endorse a product’s value or challenge its perceived impact on society.

Here are five game ideas designed to change players’ minds about important topics like climate change, energy, and politics:

Five Ideas:

1. Eco City Builder (Climate Change)
   In this game, players take on the role of city planners tasked with building a sustainable, eco-friendly city. Players must balance resources, manage waste, and prevent pollution while growing the population and economy. As the game progresses, players face challenges like rising sea levels, extreme weather, and resource shortages. The goal is to show how small, everyday decisions in urban planning can have long-term impacts on the environment.
2. Energy Quest (Energy)
   Players are tasked with managing the energy needs of a fictional country, with the challenge of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. They can invest in solar, wind, and other green energy sources, but must balance economic growth with environmental responsibility. The game highlights the trade-offs between different energy sources and educates players about the importance of sustainable energy and the consequences of continued fossil fuel use.
3. Political Debate: The Voter’s Choice (Politics)
   This game simulates an election cycle where players take on the role of a political candidate. Players must craft speeches, create policies, and navigate debates while facing opposition from rival candidates. The catch: The player must engage in real debates with other in-game characters, all while learning about the real-world issues their policies would impact. The game encourages critical thinking and understanding the broader consequences of political decisions.
4. The Last Forest (Climate Change)
   Set in a near future where deforestation has led to severe climate consequences, players must work together to preserve the last remaining forest on Earth. Players play as environmental activists who are tasked with stopping illegal logging, creating protected areas, and educating communities on the importance of forests. The game focuses on raising awareness about biodiversity loss and the role forests play in climate regulation, pushing players to see the value of conservation efforts.
5. Green Revolution (Food & Sustainability)
   In this farming simulation game, players are challenged to grow crops using sustainable farming techniques. Players must deal with climate change effects like droughts, floods, and soil depletion while learning how to implement solutions like crop rotation, water conservation, and organic farming. The goal is to teach players about the challenges of modern farming and the impact that unsustainable agriculture has on the environment, encouraging smarter, more sustainable choices.

Thoughts on games played:

McDonald’s Game:
Playing the McDonald’s game made me think about how the fast-food industry operates. It’s a commentary on how profit-driven motives often overlook the health of workers, the environment, and consumer well-being. The game highlights the lengths corporations go to in order to maximize their reach, pushing a product that may not always be in the best interest of society.

Intergroup Monopoly:
Intergroup Monopoly offers a powerful social commentary on inequality and privilege. It shows how some groups are at an advantage simply by existing within a particular social or economic framework. The game reveals how systems of power are embedded even in something as simple as a board game, emphasizing that success isn’t just about individual effort, but also about the structural conditions we’re born into.