Though I couldn’t be in class to play these games, I did do some research and played them on my own. I like the idea that these games exist as both a form of entertainment and also as a way to educate people on important topics. For example, Fake it to Make It and Cast your vote both create an entertaining game experience by teaching players why it is important to recognize fake news, as well as the importance of voting. Providing players with an educational experience that is fun will greatly increase their likelihood of taking action later, like actually voting and actually monitoring the information they are being given by the media.
Dumb ways to Die takes a more entertainment-based approach by cartoonizing death and other serious injury as a form of PSA against taking part in those activities. I don’t know if I would personally call Dumb Ways to Die educational, but it’s not not educational, I guess. Overall, This lineup of games is a fun contrast to purely entertainment-focused games and can provide a real transformative and fun educational experience that likely makes people way more excited to learn about otherwise incredibly boring topics.