'Choice: Texas' is a game aimed to raise awareness and empathy around the difficult decisions women face, especially in light of recent changes to Texas abortion laws. The online game was designed by Carly Kocurek and Allyson Whipple. They were inspired by recent restrictions placed on abortion, which could potentially shut down all but five clinics in the state.
The game has five different female avatars from different socioeconomic, geographical and demographic backgrounds, including a high school student and an excited woman facing mounting health concerns. The game has a 'choose your own adventure' theme, where players make decisions for these characters. This allows players to put themselves in the shoes of women.
The game is in development and is an Indiegogo campaign. The game makers intend to make Choice: Texas as accessible as possible in an effort to move more passive pro-choice advocates who aren't necessarily affected by Texas abortion laws.
Empathetic Pro-Choice Games
'Choice: Texas' was Inspired by New Texas Abortion Restrictions
Trend Themes
1. Empathy Games - The rise of empathetic games that aim to raise awareness and understanding of social issues, such as 'Choice: Texas', which focuses on the difficulties faced by women in light of abortion restrictions.
2. Interactive Storytelling - The use of 'choose your own adventure' gameplay mechanics to engage players and allow them to make decisions that impact the outcome of the game, as seen in the development of 'Choice: Texas'.
3. Advocacy Through Gaming - The utilization of games as a tool for advocacy, encouraging players to empathize with and understand the experiences of marginalized communities, like the creators of 'Choice: Texas' aim to do for women affected by abortion laws in Texas.
Industry Implications
1. Game Development - The game development industry has the opportunity to create more empathetic and socially conscious games, like 'Choice: Texas', which can raise awareness and encourage empathy among players.
2. Women's Healthcare - The women's healthcare industry can incorporate innovative technologies and education platforms, including games like 'Choice: Texas', to better inform and support women facing difficult decisions related to reproductive health.
3. Social Impact Organizations - Social impact organizations and nonprofits can explore collaborations with game developers to create interactive experiences that promote empathy, understanding, and action, similar to the efforts of 'Choice: Texas'.