How Politicians Take Advantage of Video Games Towards their Own Interests

In the run-up to the US presidential election, politicians and political activists have turned to the video game “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” as a platform.

But how can gaming be a forum for political activism?

On November 3, the US will elect a new president, bringing to a conclusion a bitter election season highlighted by a pandemic that irrevocably altered economic and social life. There have been losses and winners, as is typical in crisis situations.

Political Platforms for Messages

Online games are used by political activists and officials to raise awareness of their issues. For instance, a Black Lives Matter activist erected a memorial to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black victims of racial brutality on an island in the video game Animal Crossing.

In-game Advertisements

However, political campaigns have long utilized video games. This phenomenon is not particularly recent. They used to be built specifically to promote activities for a team or a leader with a specific audience.

But in-game advertisement is a completely different matter because, like social media commercials, it functions more as an accessory than as the game’s primary objective. But for the most part, business in video games is still the exception, not the rule.