Values and Aspirations

While political video games' agenda advances the action of existing/proposed public agenda, educational video games "advance the function of conceptual systems" (264).

Users can learn values that they can use in real life. Take the example of real estate investments as a way of creating wealth as opposed to saving money in the bank--a useful skill. The downside is the materialism that comes with creating wealth as demonstrated in games such as Animal Crossing. I suppose the point here is just as in the real world, so are video games--materialism. The fact is, though, that capital and finances is a much needed literacy; one that adults grapple with and for which they seek out knowledge workers.

The point is that video games can teach values and aspirations that are valued by the society. Users can learn the ideology behind certain tasks. As well, they learn to submit to the logic and value the structure of the workplace. This is how procedural rhetoric in video games opens up spaces of critical contemplation.

I liked his discussion on schooling and education on p262