A DEATH-POSITIVE VIDEO GAME FOR DEATH EDUCATION OF ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Meaning is what makes stories compelling, and often what conveys meaning in our stories is death. However, even if death is ubiquitous in the media, we tend to adopt an attitude of emotional denial to it in our personal lives. Death seems to trigger a great deal of anxiety in adolescents. Considering that video games are a popular medium among teenagers, should we then use them as a tool in death education programs? Death is present in most video games as a mechanic or a narrative element. “A Mortician’s Tale” stands out from the crowd in as much as it’s a story-driven, death-positive video game that encourages players to deal with their death fears with the intent of reducing them.

Keywords

• Video Games
• Adolescence
• Death Education
• Death Positive
• Values
• Educational Technology