'You Are Jeff Bezos' lets players explore a life of excessive wealth, while also showcasing the costs of solving world issues. Released as a choose-your-own-adventure game on Twine, the title transforms players into the uber-wealthy Amazon founder and tasks them with spending every penny of his roughly $150 billion USD fortune. The game was developed by Kris Ligman and is presented only in text, with players clicking on selected options to perform tasks.
Ultimately, 'You Are Jeff Bezos' serves as a teachable moment about how billionaires can better society rather than line their pockets. For example, the game allows players to end homelessness in the US, hire teachers for four years each, and fix the Flint water crisis, with billions still left to spend.
Image Credit: Kris Ligman
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Interactive Billionaire Games
- The popularity of choose-your-own-adventure games that feature mega-rich protagonists is on the rise.
- Social Responsibility Gaming
- Games that educate players on how multiple world issues can be solved with wealth can be potential disruptive innovations.
- Consciousness-raising Gaming
- Video games with an underlying societal message, such as how billionaires can use their wealth to make a difference, are becoming more popular.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Gaming
- The gaming industry can incorporate social and educational elements in their products to provide a more immersive and meaningful experience.
- Education
- Educational institutions can use interactive games to teach students about social responsibility and the importance of using wealth for social good.
- Philanthropy
- Foundations and charities can explore new funding models or partnerships that are non-traditional, such as collaborating with video game developers to raise awareness about world issues.
