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HomeGlobal WarmingThe Battle of Geeks: Exploring Video Game Players' Involvement in Climate Change

The Battle of Geeks: Exploring Video Game Players’ Involvement in Climate Change

“Leveling Up Climate Change Communication: How Video Game Players Are Taking Action”

The article “Geeks versus climate change: Understanding video game players’ engagement with global warming” published in the journal Climatic Change sheds light on the potential of video game players as a valuable audience for climate change communication. With nearly two-thirds of Americans playing video games, this audience represents a significant opportunity for engaging more people in climate action.

The research conducted in the United States involved two studies. In Study 1, a nationally representative survey of 1,006 participants revealed that video game players were slightly more likely than non-players to intend to take collective actions on global warming, such as consumer activism behaviors and political behaviors. Study 2, which involved 2,034 participants, found that video game players with more friends and relatives who also played video games, as well as those exposed to global warming content in gaming, were more likely to discuss global warming and engage in consumer activism.

The findings challenge the stereotype of gamers as disengaged or antisocial, showing that many video game players are concerned about and willing to take action on climate change. The study also highlights potential avenues for communication with players, including outreach to gaming communities through online spaces, gaming events, and online influencers.

The full article is available for free to read, providing detailed insights into the engagement of video game players with climate change. The research team acknowledges the contributions of industry experts from organizations such as the International Game Developers Association and Microsoft in developing the study.

Overall, the research underscores the importance of considering video game players as a key audience for climate change communication and suggests strategies for effectively engaging this group in climate action.

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