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How a New Brunswick team aims to grow both educational games and the provincial gaming scene

Jeff Mundee, a veteran game developer, has had a remarkable career, working on major titles like FIFA and Dragon Age before returning to his home province of New Brunswick. There, he helped foster the local gaming scene, co-founding Reframe Games, a studio focused on creating games with positive societal impact.

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A school shooting videogame made by the parents of a victim aims to change minds about gun control: 'This is not a scary game, it's an educational game'

The parents of Joaquin Oliver, a teen killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting, released a video game called The Final Exam through their organization, Change the Ref, to promote gun control in the U.S. The game places players in a fictional school during a shooting, where they must survive by evading the shooter and controlling their breathing.

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‘Be your own hero’: why video games are a battleground in the US–China tech war

The success of Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese video game that sold over 10 million copies in days, reflects China’s growing influence in global gaming, serving both soft and hard power objectives. While the game promotes Chinese culture and values, it also highlights China's strategic push to develop domestic semiconductor capabilities, particularly in response to U.S.

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How Games like Tic-Tac-Toe, Chess, and Peg Solitaire Inspired Designs for the Modern Computer

Tic-tac-toe and other classic games of chance and skill played a significant role in the development of modern computers, according to an NYU researcher. Samuel Pizelo argues that Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace, pioneers of computing, used game theories to model algorithms and mathematical calculations for Babbage’s analytical engine.

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Queer tabletop roleplaying games provide valuable lessons that even 'Dungeons & Dragons' can learn from

Researchers at Northeastern University studied how some tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are prioritizing queerness and inclusivity, offering valuable insights for mainstream games like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). While D&D has made progress in inclusivity, many of its rules remain centered around combat rather than identity.

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Playing video games for a couple of hours a day can improve mental health

The growing use of video games has raised concerns about their impact on mental health, with debates surrounding gaming disorders and the World Health Organization's inclusion of such disorders in the ICD-11. While research suggests a potential harmful effect of video games on mental well-being, causal mechanisms remain unclear.

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The valuable role video games play in the classroom

Experts argue that video games, when used appropriately, can enhance learning in classrooms. A 2019 Carnegie Mellon University study found that 75% of teachers incorporate digital games into their lessons. Games like The Oregon Trail have long been used to teach history, and modern educational games cover topics like politics, economics, and climate change.

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Bridging history and gameplay: Lessons from historiographical video game design

My professional journey evolved from historical academia into media and virtual reality, with notable experiences in film, interactive games, and digital preservation. Initially advising on historical accuracy in a film about early modern Japan, I learned the challenge of balancing history with commercial demands. This led to my involvement in digital projects like HashimaXR, which preserved Hashima Island's industrial heritage through interactive media.

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