Recently, a new kind of “fake news” has hit the internet in the form of Bad News, a text-based game in which one plays as a fake news mogul. However, what sets this game apart is that it’s trying to do as much good as it can.
One of the main goals of the game is to educate people on the tactics used to spread false information. The reason the player themselves are creating the in-game bad news is so that they’ll become aware of what this kind of disinformation looks like and how it can spread easily.
During gameplay, the player will choose which element of society they wish to attack, from the government to the mainstream media, and which method they will use, such as pretending to be a public figure. They will also be able to choose from a selection of fake tweets for their accounts, which feature deliberately and cleverly misspelled names, to post in the game. The player will eventually move up to running an entire fake news website.
The player will receive badges for their “work” as they progress further along, with a total of six to collect. Throughout the campaign reactions to the player’s choices, will be shown as well and really drive home how much damage to society is being done. Interestingly, the interface may comment on one’s choices as well, sometimes to edge unwilling participants along, other times to let them know that left-wing choice could just as easily be a right-wing choice, and occasionally to inject some humor.
Along with the game, the website provides a link to an information sheet. This sheet can be used by educators to teach their students not only how the game itself works but also everything they need to know about disinformation. By providing this as an educational tool, the team hopes to spread enough awareness about fake news to halt it’s spread.
Bad News is a collaborative effort by DROG and researchers from Cambridge University, with visuals by Gusmanson. Released originally in Dutch and now fully in English, the game can be played for free here.
