Review: This Time it’s for all the Marbles. Social Injustice in Digital Gaming, Issue 17 (2022)

As a games studies scholar, I must say that Issue 17 (2022) of the Game Environments Journal truly stands out as a remarkable addition to the field. Titled “This Time it’s for all the Marbles: Social Injustice in Digital Gaming,” the special issue offers a critical examination of the complex intersections between digital gaming and social injustice.

The introduction to the special issue is particularly noteworthy, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the key themes and topics explored throughout the journal. The authors’ lucid writing style, combined with their insightful analysis of the current state of digital gaming, makes for a compelling read. They deftly navigate through the various issues related to social injustice in digital gaming, including sexism, racism, ableism, and LGBTQ+ discrimination.

What truly sets this special issue apart, however, is its emphasis on highlighting the voices and experiences of marginalized communities within the gaming industry. The authors center on the perspectives of those who have traditionally been excluded or silenced in gaming discourse. This approach is both refreshing and necessary, as it brings a new level of nuance and complexity to the conversation.

Overall, Issue 17 (2022) of the Gaming Journal is an impressive collection of scholarship that makes a valuable contribution to the field of games studies. Its thoughtful analysis, engaging writing, and commitment to social justice make it an essential read for anyone interested in the intersection of digital gaming and social inequality.

Which begs the question/s

Building on the work presented in Issue 17, there are a number of important questions for inquiry that could further advance the field of games studies and contribute to ongoing efforts to promote social justice within digital gaming. Here are a few possible avenues for future research:

1. What are the most effective strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion within the gaming industry? How can game developers, publishers, and other industry stakeholders better address issues of representation and marginalization?
2. How do different forms of digital gaming (e.g., mobile games, console games, PC games, etc.) shape players’ experiences of social injustice? Are there particular platforms or genres that are more conducive to promoting social justice, and if so, why?
3. What is the role of online gaming communities in perpetuating or challenging social inequality? How can these communities be leveraged to promote greater awareness and understanding of social justice issues within and beyond the gaming world?
4. How do emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and blockchain impact the dynamics of social injustice in digital gaming? What new forms of inequality might arise, and how can they be addressed?
5. Finally, how can games studies scholars continue to collaborate with game developers, players, and other stakeholders to promote more equitable and inclusive digital gaming practices? What kinds of interdisciplinary approaches are needed to address the complex social, cultural, and economic dimensions of digital gaming and its relationship to social justice?

Analysis on International Solidarity Between Game Workers in the Global North and Global South: Reflections on The Challenges Posed by Labor Aristocracy Authors Emil

The article “International Solidarity Between Game Workers in the Global North and Global South: Reflections on The Challenges Posed by Labor Aristocracy” by Emil, published in the Gaming Journal, provides a critical analysis of the challenges posed by labor aristocracy to international solidarity between game workers in the global north and south. The author argues that the global games industry is characterized by a deepening divide between high-skilled workers in the global north who are often unionized and well-paid and low-skilled workers in the global south who are often exploited and underpaid. This divide, according to Emil, poses significant challenges to efforts to build international solidarity among game workers.

The article begins by providing a brief overview of the global games industry and the current state of labor relations within it. Emil highlights the fact that game development has become increasingly concentrated in the global north, with a few large companies dominating the industry. This concentration of power, coupled with the rise of digital platforms, has led to the emergence of a global labor aristocracy consisting of highly skilled workers in the global north who enjoy better working conditions, higher wages, and greater job security than their counterparts in the global south.

Emil then turns to the concept of labor aristocracy, which he defines as a privileged sector of the working class that benefits from the exploitation of the rest of the working class. This privileged sector, according to Emil, is often organized in trade unions and tends to be more conservative and resistant to international solidarity than the rest of the working class.

The article goes on to explore the challenges posed by labor aristocracy to efforts to build international solidarity among game workers. Emil argues that labor aristocracy tends to prioritize the interests of workers in the global north over those in the global south, often at the expense of broader social justice goals. This tendency, he contends, can create divisions and undermine efforts to build solidarity across national and regional borders.

To address these challenges, Emil suggests that game workers in the global north must be willing to recognize and confront their own privilege and work to build alliances with workers in the global south. He also calls for greater attention to the social and political dimensions of game development, including the impact of digital platforms on labor relations and the role of game development in perpetuating global inequality.

Overall, Emil’s article makes a valuable contribution to the field of games studies by highlighting the challenges posed by labor aristocracy to international solidarity among game workers. His analysis underscores the need for greater awareness of the ways in which global power structures shape labor relations within the games industry and the importance of building alliances across national and regional boundaries to promote social justice and equality.