Negotiating Fun and Seriousness: Towards a Learning/Gaming Experience...

The distinction between entertainment and serious content is still very present in the European society, which especially applies to the sector of video games. Although video games got integrated in higher culture through their connection to art, literature and as a medium for political critique, the popular ones often remain unnoticed when it is about to offer more than just fun and entertainment. The category of “serious games” approves this proposition in contrast to the lack of genres like “serious books” or “serious films”. This presentation explores strategies of artistic/political games as part of popular games in the context of a learning/gaming experience to open up a discussion about their potential of activating the gaming community to participate in a critical dialogue.