Gaming Can Turn Journalism into an Immersive Experience

In the fast-paced digital world, traditional journalism faces the challenge of engaging younger audiences and increasing reader retention. Want to know one thing the younger generation is always ready to pay attention to? 

Gaming. 

Journalists can weave these games into their stories and create an immersive experience that captures readers' attention, prompts empathy, and fosters a deeper understanding of complex issues—but how, exactly?

START WITH A COMPELLING STORY AND DATA

Before turning the story into a game at all, it is crucial to ensure that the investigative reporting itself is robust and compelling. The story should be able to stand on its own, as if it could be written as a simple investigative article. The game should focus on presenting essential information and data that will serve as the foundation for the game. For example, The Uber Game, a project spearheaded by the Financial Times, effectively simulated the challenges faced by Uber drivers in the gig economy by incorporating real-life choices and data behind the scenes. Syhacked, a game by Al Jazeera, puts players in the shoes of a Syrian journalist navigating a cyber war. Both are based on real-time stories and information; real data including rates of pay, amount of work; and real consequences—which can easily lead to a “game over.”

COLLABORATE WITH DEVELOPERS FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION

Games are extremely complicated pieces of coding that require a deep knowledge and vocabulary of code. While open-source tools like Twine and Newsgamer provide a starting point, customization is necessary to align the game with the publication's style and content management system—and customization is where a developer really comes in handy. Collaborating with at least one developer is absolutely essential to ensure a smooth integration of the game, otherwise you risk putting out a mess that nobody wants to play. 

FOCUS ON A CENTRAL MESSAGE AND THEME

One central message or theme from the investigative reporting must be the objective of the game. The game should expand on this message and provide a deeper exploration of the topic, but complicating the mechanics of the game needlessly with too much information will be a death knell for the game’s playability. Al Jazeera's Pirate Fishing game exemplifies this approach, concentrating on the pursuit of illegal fishing boats in order to lead the player into more information regarding the consequences of both pursuit and existence of the illegal boats. 

ALWAYS PLAYTEST—AND MORE THAN ONCE

Playtests on video games are like the scientific method. Bugs show up in the weirdest and most unexpected ways. Not only that, any sort of small bug can make a game unplayable. It’s important for developers and journalists alike to continually playtest the game to check for playability, but also to ensure the game is serving its purpose in context. User feedback and usability testing can help refine the game and enhance the overall experience, but it’s best to work out all kinks before releasing the game to the public.

CONSIDER ETHICAL AND ACCESSIBILITY CONCERNS

Gamified journalism comes with ethical considerations, such as ensuring that the game respects the subjects and avoids sensationalizing serious issues. Issues of age, racial, and gender bias also show up in video games—often—and it’s important for journalists and developers to continuously check in and filter out biases as often as possible. Additionally, accessibility should be a top priority, making sure that the game is inclusive and usable for all readers, regardless of their abilities, access to internet bandwidth, or understanding.

By incorporating gaming elements, reporters can foster empathy, encourage deeper understanding, and keep readers invested in their work for longer periods simply by putting readers in the shoes of the very stories they are attempting to bring to life. The success of gamified reporting lies in its ability to align with the core message of the story and offer a seamless integration between the game and the reporting itself. However, as a developing field, gamifying guidance might change and it’s important for both journalists and developers to embrace the changes for the good of an ever-changing society.