Toward a Political Economic Framework for Analyzing Digital Development Games: A Case Study of Three Games for Africa

Abstract

This study analyzes 3 digital games for development in Africa, examining them as individual texts that operate as part of a broader international development discourse, and as political economic products with implications for international development and gaming industries. A conceptual framework is proposed as part of this process. By looking at individual games alongside the organizations and funding structures behind them, I argue that digital games, as a new technological platform, do not in-and-of themselves present a revolutionary approach to development across Africa; rather, they both reinforce and subvert dominant approaches already at play.

Playful Partnerships for Game-based Learning in International Contexts

“…Ferreira, 2015;Fisher, 2016a) based upon principles of articulating what is permitted, establishing presence, attending carefully to trust, and fostering a third space in which game-based and playful activity occurs. This playful approach to educational partnerships means that learning outcomes may not be completely known in advance, and this in turn makes it possible to take thoughtful risks, critique decision-making, and make necessary adjustments on the fly.…”

“…Yet in spite of a small and notable research strand that has explored the role of (digital) games in social and economic development activities, Fisher (2016a) cautions that it "remains unclear whether games present a radically new approach to development, or simply a new technological platform for replicating traditional projects" (p. 33). As for games presenting a novel form of social and economic ICTD, Kolko and Putnam (2009) suggest games and gaming culture may be harnessed as one aspect of a broad ICT ecology that "diffuses throughout and affects nascent computer users in developing regions" (p. 47), such as in Central Asia.…”

“…As a point of contrast to primarily capitalist endeavors, Fisher (2016a) has advanced a model of Critical Play due to the tendency for digital games to be used in international development contexts for expressly commercial causes. Such play arises through digital games "that address structural inequality as the root cause of underdevelopment and ask players to engage in critique and conceptualize solutions outside of the current system… to challenge local and global power structures through gameplay and educate players about systemic issues that exacerbate development issues" (p. 34).…”

Playing With Empowerment

“…While the Facebook and mobile phone games created by the HTSM have been some of the most publicized, they are not the only development-oriented game project taken up in recent years (Fisher, 2016). And the development industry is certainly not the only industry interested in using Serious Games (SG): Over the last decade, SG have been integrated into a variety of industries, including military, government, education, corporate, and healthcare, and it is estimated that by 2020, the SG industry will be worth $5.4 billion.…”

“…For the HTSM, whose funders and partners include major technology corporations (e.g., Intel) and commercial gaming companies (e.g., Zynga) participating in the growth of such an industry is inherently valuable. For development-focused organizations, games present an exciting and innovative avenue for fund and awareness raising, as well as for carrying out on-the-ground educational and behavior change projects (Fisher, 2016). TG, much like the first-ever development-oriented game Food Force, released by the United Nations World Food Programme in 2005, is part of a category of games designed specifically to teach those in the Global North about development: What the issues are, how they should be addressed, and who should be responsible for such work (Fisher, 2016).…”