A great thought provoking game about ethics, and morality

Submitted 4 years ago

Community Review for Papers, Please

DANIEL U.
DANIEL U.
My Rating
Pedagogy
Supports

My Take

Papers Please is a very thought provoking game. There is a tragic realism to horrible job you have in this third world nation. You live in so much poverty with the risk of illness or starvation being a very real threat. It gives you many moral dilemmas and will test your principles in ways games do not normally expect you to. The world is so overblown with propaganda, and corruption, that the grim world becomes humorous (to those not in it). This game leads to very interesting discussions on what is right and wrong and the grey areas in between.

How I Use It

I would allow each student to play the game for awhile until they understand the themes being presented. Then, I would open up the classroom for discussion about the themes of the game.

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Amy K.
Amy K. Teacher Coraopolis, PA
December 12, 2014

Interesting game, but would be difficult in the classroom in my opinion.

Papers, Please is a video game where a player takes on the role of an immigration officer in a nation called Arstotska. As a worker checking entry visas, you the player have to scrutinize the visas against a manual and look for discrepancies in information. Then you deny or accept entry. If you are wrong, you get penalized and lose credits that pay for your basic living expenses. It's important to be correct and not get penalized, but if you don't go quickly enough, you won't make enough money to take care of your family. The political turmoil is part of the game, but the day-to-day implications of living in an oppressive regime weigh on you as a player. This game is comprehensive, but long. There is little support in game, and it's tricky to figure out, which is great for students in theory, but might make some think that it's "boring." Honestly, I think that it is too time intensive to be effective in the classroom and the cost is high ($9.99/user) for individual licenses in a classroom.
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