Connect! Unite! Act! is a weekly series that seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups meet regularly to socialize, get out the vote, support candidates, and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers that be. Visit us every week to see how you can get involved!
The year was 2013. Nuclear holocaust struck globally, driving people underground, waiting to see what would happen. Now, 20 years later, people are divided into different factions and the fighting is fierce. That was the intro to “Metro 2033,” a game with a lot of loyal fans released from 4A studios, which is based in Ukraine. The studio presented several more titles, including “Metro Last Light” and the highly praised “Exodus.” As Russia’s aggression to Ukraine began, Dmitry Glukhovsky, the writer of the book behind the series and a resident of Moscow, spoke out to decry the war efforts.
I want to immediately point out I am a huge fan of video games. Video games are far more interactive than zoning out to TV. Many require complex puzzle solutions, and some provide better storytelling than I get in a film. Frankly, both “Last of Us” and “Last of Us Pt. 2” have stories I would have put in line with some of the best films in the respective years they were released, in my not so humble opinion. Other games provide different level of stories.
In 2014, Ubisoft released “Valiant Hearts,” a small game that flew under the radar as a 2D platformer, but full of heart and history. “Valiant Hearts” provided real photos, information, documentation, actual letters and historical notes as the player progressed to help players learn more about World War I.
Video games can move us. They can be real or unreal.
I have to tell you, I’ve spent a few nights recently with “Horizon Forbidden West.” Halo Infinite on the new Xbox? Fantastic campaign. Fantastic. I’m glad to be nonconsole specific fan; I love my Xbox-X and my Playstation, and love the games they provide me. Oh, and my PC, for when “Civilization” or “Crusader Kings” time may be needed!
So, wait: How does this all connect back to Ukraine? Why have video games sometimes led us in recognizing complexities? When “Dragon’s Age Inquisition” came out in 2014, your character could be gay, straight, or bisexual—your choice. Other games followed similar paths, like “Fallout 4,” for example. Most important was the fact that many games tried to highlight complex problems and good companies worked toward solid solutions.
GSC Games Stalker Chernobyl sequel.
The gaming community as a whole came together to cut off Russian access, which was a statement of unity, but also a means to stop Russian disinformation. Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, EA, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, and CD Projekt Red have all cut off access to their online marketplaces and communities. That is significant because it will cost them profits. It also prevents Russian propaganda from spreading through game chats and gameplay.
Russia is the 15th-largest online gaming market, so it does have an impact.
Anyway, that’s my little talk. If you haven’t yet, check out The Koscars this week, where you can nominate the best call to activism! Since Daily Kos is celebrating its 20th anniversary, I’m looking back at some of the best games I remember from the last 20 years!
Oh and don’t even get me started on mini-games, tower defense games, and tabletop games turned console games (and vice versa!)
Damn you, Z-Man games, for this one, which was released on console just months before COVID-19 was underway.
Anything you’re playing lately? (Yes, phone games, PC games, board games, and card games all count—including Solitaire.)
What music, movies, and TV had you entranced in the last 20 years? For book fans: Don’t worry, we’ll get there in a few weeks!