USC Game Focuses On Redistricting Abuse

University of Southern California researchers, along with members of Congress and other organizations aimed at political reform have announced The Redistricting Game, a free online serious game that aims to illustrate “how redistricting works, how it is abused, and how it adversely affects our democracy.” According to the USC developers, the game provides hands-on understanding of the real redistricting process, including drawing district maps and interacting with party bosses, congresspeople, citizen groups and courts. The Redistricting Game will debut as part of a presentation on redistricting at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 13 at 10:00 am, at which time Congressman John Tanner and other members of Congress, along with various reform leaders will welcome the USC design team, headed by USC School of Cinematic Arts' professor Chris Swain. In the game, players “directly experience how crafty manipulation of lines can yield skewed victories for either party -- effectively allowing politicians to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their politicians,” according to the USC development team. The Redistricting Game will also detail a variety of reform measures, including a playable version of Rep. Tanner's "Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act" (H.R. 543). Other features include the ability for players to have conversations with other players online, and write their congressperson directly from the game.