Renowned undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has introduced a groundbreaking initiative called Floodlight Gaming, which merges investigative journalism with gaming.
This project allows participants to experience real-life investigations interactively, tackling issues like corruption, human rights abuses, and environmental crimes.
Floodlight Gaming aims to engage younger, digitally savvy audiences through immersive storytelling. Rather than simply consuming investigative content, players can navigate the ethical dilemmas and risks faced by journalists in their pursuit of truth.
“For years, my team and I have risked everything to uncover corruption,” Anas stated, emphasizing the importance of evolving storytelling methods for future generations.
The initiative also includes workshops that unite journalists, human rights advocates, educators, and game developers.
Participants will explore how investigative narratives can be transformed into engaging, educational games that promote accountability and awareness.
Floodlight Gaming was launched by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), the Gabo Foundation, and Anima Interactive, with support from various partners providing funding and mentorship.
This collaboration aims to foster a new wave of games that prioritise public interest and investigative journalism.
At the inaugural Floodlight Investigative Journalism Gaming Summit in Amsterdam, the game “Hunting the Hunter,” developed by Berlin-based Greenwave Games, won the top prize.
The game, based on Anas’s investigation into cocoa smuggling in Ghana, highlights the intersection of storytelling and innovation in the fight against corruption.
The summit featured discussions between game developers and journalists, emphasising the critical role of storytelling in an era of misinformation.
Anima Interactive Founder Karla Reyes noted that video games hold immense potential for conveying complex truths and fostering empathy.
SOURCE: GRAPHIC ONLINE
