Bury Me, My Love: An Introduction to Social Impact Games

Abstract

Bury Me, My Love (2017, Playdius Entertainment) is an intriguing project addressing a significant social issue: the phenomenon of displacement and refugees. This game serves as an example to illustrate the potential of digital games as a medium for commenting on and interpreting existing realities, showcasing their critical, educational, and even transformative value—concepts collectively described as “social impact gaming”. This game, along with other titles mentioned in the article, represents a production that is relatively simple to implement: inexpensive, straightforward, and not demanding in terms of hardware requirements. Yet it simultaneously offers insights into the mechanisms underlying the emergence of significant social issues, thereby holding an advantage over both AAA games and traditional media. A detailed examination of specific elements of this game (case study) will help identify possible strategies for its application in contexts beyond entertainment, which is a critical aspect of “social impact gaming”.