George E. Osborn’s debut book explores the impact of video games, not only on our lives, but on the political landscape and international relations. Osborn, who worked in the video game industry for well over a decade, founded Half-Space Consulting, a consultancy firm which helps large political and social organisations understand the impact of the video game sector on their work. Power Play is the layman’s companion to this work.
Through it, Osborn lays out that one of the most overlooked media industries is not only one of the most financially powerful, but also, one of the most influential. Don’t panic if you’ve never engaged with the industry before: Osborn provides a thorough but accessible overview of the history of the games industry, before highlighting the importance of gaming as a ‘third space’ – one outside of work and home, where people go to socialise and share ideas.
This is where we move into the political sphere: what is usually harmful can become a place where extremism can be discussed without moderation, where foreign governments can intervene in national politics, and ideas can spread without anyone noticing. A fascinating book that offers as much insight as it does information, this is one media enthusiasts won’t want to miss.
