Gaming for good: Turning video games into hubs of community and change
Video games have shifted from a form of entertainment to a platform for social change thanks to a new generation of gamers.
L.R TURNER20 Feb 2025 02:00pm
For Gen Z, video games are spaces where friendships blossom and communities thrive. Photo: Canva
Today’s games are stage sets where quests extend beyond virtual worlds to impact real-world challenges.
Let’s explore how Gen Z is using their love of gaming for a greater good.
VIRTUAL PROTESTS AND SOCIAL AWARENESS
One striking illustration of gaming's potential as a platform for social advocacy unfolded in 2023. Thousands of Malaysians, many of them teenagers, took to popular gaming platform Roblox to hold pro-Palestine protests amidst the ongoing conflict taking place in the Middle East.
The virtual protest was organised by a 15-year-old student known only as Razz, and gained traction after being promoted by Malaysian content creator and streamer Afiq Mat Zaid, known online as @cikguzyd.
The virtual demonstration brought together hundreds of protestors from Malaysia and the rest of Southeast Asia. It also made headlines around the world, showing how digital worlds can amplify voices for critical causes.
STREAMING FOR A CAUSE
The gaming community has embraced the concept of streaming for charity with open arms. Platforms like Twitch have hosted marathon gaming sessions, where players live-stream their gameplay to raise awareness and funds for diverse causes.
For instance, US-based speedrunners have been participating in a charity marathon series called Games Done Quick (GDQ). Several fundraising events take place every year, with the largest ones taking place in January (Awesome Games Done Quick) and during the summer (Summer Games Done Quick).
Each event sees some of the top speedrunners in the world demonstrating their skills in front of a live audience, which is also livestreamed on Twitch.
Since 2010, GDQ has managed to raise over USD50 million (RM221.35 million) for charities focused on medical research, disaster relief, and more.
Similarly, the annual Florida-based Gaming Community Expo (GCX) brings together gamers to fundraise for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, demonstrating the incredible power of collective action within the gaming world.
For Gen Z, video games are more than just entertainment — they’re spaces where friendships blossom and communities thrive.
With multiplayer games and online platforms, individuals from around the globe can unite over shared passions and common goals.
FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY AND EMPATHY
Video games today are leading the charge in celebrating diversity and inclusion. Through narratives that explore various cultures and backgrounds, players are invited to step into others’ shoes and empathise with different perspectives.
Developers are increasingly championing representation in gaming, introducing characters from all walks of life.
Games like The Last of Us Part II and Life is Strange are lauded for their diverse cast and stories that challenge societal norms, helping players understand and embrace differences.
As technology continues to advance, the possibilities for using gaming as a tool for societal impact are endless. With upcoming innovations in virtual and augmented reality, these virtual spaces will become even more immersive, fostering deeper connections and engagements.
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