Educational Video Games About Politics

Educational video games aren't just for kids anymore. History buffs, political science majors, and aspiring pundits can test their political savvy with educational video games based on real political scenarios. Here are four educational video games about politics and where to find them online.

Peacemaker

PeaceMaker is a computer game based on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The goal of the game is to bring peace to the Middle East in a way that is acceptable to both Israel and Palestine. This educational video game puts your political savvy to the test. Every action has complex results, and it's nearly impossible to please all the factions involved. PeaceMaker allows you to play as the Palestinian President or the Israeli Prime Minister to give you an even more well-rounded experience.

This political video game costs $19.95. You can read about it and download a free demo at http://www.peacemakergame.com/.

A Force More Powerful

Based on ten different historical scenarios, A Force More Powerful is a game built around learning and exercising non-violent tactics to achieve political goals. Sound stuffy? Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. didn't think so. Use nonviolent strategies to achieve human rights and throw off oppressors. Factors like media and racial politics muddy the playing field and keep you guessing.

A Force More Powerful costs $9.98 and is only available for PCs. Find it at http://www.aforcemorepowerful.org/game/index.php.

Darfur is Dying

Darfur is Dying wins the award for the educational video game with the most dramatic name. Unlike the others, this is a simple Flash game that you can play online for free. In this political video game, you play a member of a family from Darfur living in a refugee camp. Your goal is to keep the refugee camp alive and healthy for seven days by foraging for water, growing crops, and repairing buildings after militia attacks. This game is not recommended for young children unless you really want to explain rape to them.

Find it at http://www.darfurisdying.com/.

Food Force

Developed by the United Nations Food Programme, Food Force is an educational video game about the difficulties, politics, and tactics involved in delivering food aid to people experiencing around the world. In Food Force, you play a rookie aid worker who must deliver food to the island of Sheylan. After you have established reliable ways of getting food to the people, you then must help them begin subsistence faming so they can feed themselves.

Read about the World Food Programme in real life and download Food Force for free at http://ff.fighthunger.org/.