#the project
Video games have acquired a fresh perspective following the experiences endured during the pandemic, notably concerning personal well-being and social connections. Games and video games foster a more critical and participatory engagement among youth, facilitated by narrative immersion, identification mechanisms with characters or stories, interactive elements coupled with the allowance for failure, and the necessity to formulate strategies applicable beyond the gaming realm. This pivotal shift prompted education and professionals to advocate for enhancing young people’s media literacy through ludic tools and languages
The Yo-Media project aims to train education and media professionals to promote media literacy among young people in times of crisis, particularly health crises and wars. To achieve this, the project has created three games (one digital game and two physical games) for a young audience and offers MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) for media professionals and formal and informal educators.
Social Media Puppeters is a micro tabletop role-playing game for ages 11-17, focusing on media literacy and social media dynamics. Players become politicians, journalists, scientists, or influencers, competing on a fictional platform to gain influence and promote media awareness. Designed for 3-6 players (adaptable for larger groups), it balances interaction and competition, encouraging character-based decision-making and strategic play. Duration: 60 minutes, including character selection, gameplay, and discussions. Players compete to capture attention and influence perceptions on the social media platform “Y.”
Social Media Fake News is a card game teaching players about fake news characteristics. Players aim to deplete their cards by creating fake stories using news construction cards with catchy headlines, emotional language, and polarizing phrases. Action cards allow strategic counterattacks. Designed for 2-6 players, the game includes a board and various card types and lasts about 30 minutes. It can be played in classrooms with discussions or independently. Players use News Construction Cards to build stories and Action Cards for counterattacks. The player with the most cards at the game’s end loses.
Data Defenders is a digital tower defense game promoting media literacy during crises. Players protect global data servers from AI alien robots spreading misinformation amid an invasion and pandemic. The game features diverse islands with key characters, strategic defences, and innovative mechanics like the Data Analyzer and Crisis Impact. It targets players aged 13 and above, appealing to mobile gaming enthusiasts. ‘Data Defenders’ combines Strategy, Tower Defense, and educational genres. It’s accessible on iOS, Android, and desktop via WebGL, enabling cross-platform gameplay.
The Yo-Media Booklet offers a comprehensive guide to the YO-MEDIA project, providing insights into innovative game-based approaches designed to enhance media literacy skills. It outlines the structure and implementation of each game component and the MOOC curriculum. By exploring these tools, readers will gain valuable strategies for developing critical thinking and information evaluation skills during times of crisis, ultimately contributing to a more informed and resilient society.
