Yeah, I lost execution too. I still don't know how to win.
The question on my mind is, is fun a consideration? Should these kinds of games shoot for being entertaining? When we think "game" with think entertainment, but really the term "videogame" can become a misnomer in this case. Eventually "interactive media" may actually become a more suitable term. Trying to feed a family for 4 years in haiti may not be fun or entertaining, and thereby not really a game, but it can serve it's purpose in opening your eyes to the extreme poverty they undergo. Food Force may show the underlying complexities of trying to distribute food to famine filled countries, but it probably won't be a "game" in the traditional sense.
In order for these sorts of games (sorry, still going to use the term for now) to take root, the definition of what a videogame is and can be must be broadened so that we don't spend 5 minutes wondering around as an immigrant boy and saying "this is boring, screw it" and moving on to decapitating people online while hurling racial slurs in Gears Of War 5. I think honestly Nintendo is helping with this by both widening the market, but also attempting to change the definition of "gaming". Microsoft seems to be trying to help as well by providing funding and incentives.
I would honestly love to see games like this featured on PSN, or Wiiware, or the Xbox equivalent (sorry, I don't have a 360), for modest fees. That would definately get them more attention, and hopefully some talent and money would get behind them to make something that will be able to challenge traditional gamers way of thinking about the medium, as well as potentially the world outside of the living room.
You can find me on facebook as Markus Van Rijn, if you friend me just mention you're from VGchartz and who you are here.
