Game Design Challenge Crowns 'The Credit Crisis' Winners

Author: by Staff

In the latest Game Design Challenge at education-focused Gamasutra sister site GameCareerGuide, readers submitted ideas for games that tackle the explanation of the credit crisis -- inspired by a popular viral video. "Entries could approach the challenge from one of several angles, and the result could take place within any genre. Would a credit crisis-themed game be a good fit for the action genre? Would a survival horror title be appropriate? Or would finance-oriented gameplay be well suited to the time management genre?" As the submissions reveal: "Many successful entries presented these ideas in terms of familiar gameplay situations. Common gaming tropes and scenarios often proved effective in communicating the causes and results of the worldwide financial crunch. Some especially noteworthy entries attempted to educate the player about his or her personal role in the global economy." The winning game concepts for this Game Design Challenge were as follows: Elendil "Shin" Canete's Credit Crash. "Canete's shooter may appear simplistic in terms of gameplay, but it's this simplicity that so effectively teaches the importance of wise investments and balanced budgets. As a bonus, the concept adds its share of unique complexities to a largely stagnant genre." Daniel George Haddad's Life with the Crisis: "Life with the Crisis turns the global credit crisis into a personal experience for the player, and communicates its effects on an individual level. The goals, challenges, and situations here are slightly exaggerated, but are realistic enough to be compelling." ...and Michael Vaughn Green's Zombie Bank Attack Arcade: "Though Green's game idea lacks a realistic narrative, its bizarre plot nevertheless manages to feature a strong connection to its source material. Boasting frantic action centered around cooperation-based multiplayer gameplay, players could end up learning more from Zombie Bank Attack Arcade than they might expect." To read about these winners, check the results of the challenge, published today at GameCareerGuide.