The Educational Potential of Video Games: The Case of This War of Mine in the Polish Context

Abstract

This article examines the educational potential of digital games through a case study of This War of Mine in the Polish institutional context. The analysis argues that game mechanics, interpreted within the framework of procedural rhetoric, generate experiences of didactic value by fostering empathy, critical reflection, and civic awareness. Methodologically, the study combines a genological perspective with selected analytical tools of game design theory, focusing on how rules, challenges, and fairness shape the player’s experience. In addition, the article presents three original lesson plans for Polish language and literature, civics, and ethics, developed by the authors, which illustrate how the game can be effectively integrated into interdisciplinary teaching. The findings emphasize both the unique potential of digital games to support humanistic and civic education and the challenges of implementation, including digital exclusion, institutional constraints, and the necessity of careful pedagogical planning.