Lockdown live: ‘Can video games change the world?’

One in three people play video games – that’s 2.5 billion people globally. The gaming industry is huge, raking in more money than global music sales and most cinema franchises. But stereotypes about ‘gamers’ linger in the popular imagination. It’s time to ask: is the left overlooking the immense social and political power of games? And can video games really change the way we think and act in the world?

Join Red Pepper on Thursday 30 April, at 6pm (UK) / 1pm (US East Coast), to discuss the social and political power of gaming, from battles for labour rights to the military entertainment complex to efforts to queer and diversify the industry.

Whether you’re a joystick master or a video game skeptic, bring your burning questions and join our panellists as we broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube, or watch right here:

You can also read our recent series on the politics of video games on this site, which explores the history and concept of play, debates over what games count as ‘political’, the radical potential of gaming, how the military is shaping the industry, and the neoliberal myths of game designers.

Featuring:

• Marzena Zukowksa, writer, organiser and researcher, based in London.
• Carolyn Petit, veteran game critic and regular commentator on Feminist Frequency Radio.
• Sher Jamal Stone, music, culture and justice-focused writer and communications strategist based in New York City.
• Paolo Ruffino, Lecturer in Communication and Media at the University of Liverpool.