Part 2 of Fake News: Combatting Misinformation & Disinformation Through Video Games

Game Studies for Everyone

n this second installment of our series, we continue to delve into the world of misinformation and disinformation games, but this time, we’re focusing on the powerful emotional and psychological effects these games can elicit. Using Excitation Transfer Theory and Transportation Theory, we’ll explore how emotions, empathy, and narrative immersion play a critical role in shaping player behavior. Discover how carefully crafted emotional responses and immersive storytelling are used to heighten awareness and resilience to fake news in games like Fake It to Make It and FakeYou!.

We’ll also discuss the role of empathy—how aligning player sympathies with the victims rather than the creators of misleading information can profoundly impact behavior in the real world. Join us as we break down the psychology behind these games and how they create lasting emotional impressions that help players fight back against the tide of misinformation.

Tune in for a deeper understanding of the emotional and narrative strategies at play in this critical battle for media literacy!

Source: https://hdl.handle.net/10125/107025