Brian Train

Analog Board Games as Citizen Journalism

Introduction

Analog board games as citizen journalism. Explore how analog board games function as citizen journalism, a practice predating digital 'newsgames.' Discover the historical and ongoing role of physical games in reporting current events.

Abstract

This word “newsgame” is a recent term in the academic field of game studies that refers to videogames or computer games on current events and issues. This is a new word and mode for a very old practice. There is a long tradition of analog games performing the same function that not only predates personal computers and the Internet, it continues today – advised and assisted by these media.

Review

This paper proposes a compelling re-evaluation of the nascent field of "newsgames" by extending its scope beyond digital platforms to encompass analog board games. The central thesis, that analog games have long performed a function akin to contemporary newsgames, challenges a potentially anachronistic digital-centric view and promises to enrich game studies with a valuable historical perspective. The abstract clearly articulates the core argument, positioning the term "newsgame" as a recent label for a much older, persistent practice. This framing immediately signals a robust critical engagement with existing scholarship and the potential to offer a more inclusive and historically grounded understanding of how games engage with current events and societal issues. One of the significant strengths indicated by the abstract is the intention to bridge historical game practices with contemporary theoretical frameworks. By asserting that analog games continue their function today, "advised and assisted by these media," the paper hints at a nuanced exploration of the interplay between traditional and modern forms of media in the dissemination of information and critical engagement. This perspective could illuminate how the fundamental mechanisms of information transfer and critical discourse within games transcend medium-specific limitations, offering insights into the enduring power of play as a form of social commentary and public engagement. Such an analysis could significantly broaden the definition of citizen journalism to include non-traditional, ludic forms. However, to fully realize its ambitious claims, the full paper will need to rigorously define and exemplify what "citizen journalism" entails in the context of analog board games. The abstract opens a fascinating avenue for research, but the mechanisms by which these games acted as journalistic vehicles – beyond mere representation – will require thorough theoretical underpinning and empirical demonstration. Specifically, clarifying how analog games *disseminate* news, *shape* public opinion, or *provide* an arena for public discourse, comparable to traditional journalistic practices, will be crucial. A robust methodology, likely involving historical analysis, game content analysis, and perhaps reception studies where feasible, will be necessary to substantiate the intriguing premise presented in this abstract.

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