University of Southern California Combats Gerrymandering With 'THE REDISTRICTING GAME' at Games for Change Festival

New Interactive Project Harnesses Videogame Power To Illustrate The Power,

Problems And Potential Reform Solutions Associated With Congressional

Redistricting

    LOS ANGELES, June 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leading researchers from
 the University of Southern California are taking aim at "gerrymandering" by
 launching THE REDISTRICTING GAME, an online, free-to-all videogame that
 lets users experience first-hand what many consider one of the most
 polarizing and divisive aspects of our democracy. The launch will take
 place at the Games For Change Festival at The New School in New York City
 on Monday, June 11 at 5:15 p.m.
     The game exposes how redistricting works, how it is abused, and how it
 adversely affects democracy. It provides hands-on understanding of the real
 redistricting process, including drawing district maps and interacting with
 party bosses, congresspeople, citizen groups and courts. Players directly
 experience how crafty manipulations of lines can yield skewed victories for
 either party-effectively allowing politicians to choose their voters
 instead of voters choosing their politicians.
     In addition, the game provides details on a variety of reform measures
 -- including a playable version of Rep. John Tanner's (D-TN) "Fairness and
 Independence in Redistricting Act" (H.R. 543) -- as well as features that
 allow players to get involved in the public discourse: dialoguing with
 fellow citizens in an online forum, spreading the word and writing their
 congressperson directly from the game.
     Developed at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, THE
 REDISTRICTING GAME takes what is traditionally regarded as an amusement-
 electronic gaming-and harnesses it as a powerful communications and
 education medium reaching out to all voters-regardless of age, region or
 political affiliation.
     The REDISTRICTING GAME will join scores of other projects from around
 the world on display at the fourth annual Games for Change Festival taking
 place June 11/12 at The New School. An early Sundance for socially
 responsible game designers, the festival brings together leading non-profit
 organizations, game scholars and industry experts to explore the expanding
 role of digital games as agents of social change, and showcase some of the
 hottest new games in development.
                         Press Preview  5:15 - 6:15 PM
                            Monday, June 11th, 2007
                                 THE NEW SCHOOL
                       55 West 13th Street  New York, NY
           http://www.gamesforchange.org/conference/2007/program.php
     NOTE: The press preview has been set up to provide media with the
 opportunity to speak directly with the game designers. For information or
 to RSVP, contact
     Dan Morris at The New School: 212.229.5667 x3094 or
 morrd109@newschool.edu.
     On June 13th, the REDISTRICTING GAME will roll out on Capitol Hill as
 the centerpiece of a special presentation with Congressional and reform
 group leaders. For information on the Washington event, contact:
     John Zollinger, USC School of Cinematic Arts,
 jzollinger@cinema.usc.edu, 213.740.9514
     Bo Morrison, The Angellotti Company, bo@angelcopr.com, 818.506.7887
     The REDISTRICTING GAME is a project of the University of Southern
 California's Annenberg Center for Communication, Annenberg School for
 Communication, and School of Cinematic Arts.
 
 

SOURCE University of Southern California