Kennesaw State University has officially released its first video game, titled Corporation, Inc., through the KSU Game Studio. The game was developed under the guidance of Assistant Professor Victoria Lagrange, who aimed to promote empathy toward marginalized communities by focusing on the story of a Colombian immigrant.
In Corporation, Inc., players step into the shoes of the protagonist, Maria, who starts her career as a hiring manager. Throughout the game, users navigate various tasks like sorting resumes and interacting with coworkers while facing different forms of discrimination. Lagrange explained that this experience is designed to allow players to understand the pressures and challenges faced by someone in Maria’s position.
Lagrange expressed her hopes that the game would influence players’ real-life perceptions of immigrants, saying, “When people play the game, we hope they experience firsthand what it’s like to deal with discrimination, potentially changing how they view others in similar situations.”
The narrative was crafted to explore the impact of video game storytelling on human behavior. Lagrange is particularly interested in whether engaging with empathetic characters can translate into real-world changes in behavior.
The Game Narrative Lab at Kennesaw State played a significant role in the game’s development, with students contributing to various aspects, including narrative creation and visual design. Cole Andrews, a senior interactive design major, focused on scriptwriting and character development, drawing inspiration from his love of literature rather than video games.
Recently, Corporation, Inc. won the Life. Love Game Design Challenge, a contest organized by Jennifer Ann’s Group, which promotes intentional game design aimed at fostering critical thinking and nonviolent engagement among youths. This nonprofit organization addresses issues related to teen dating violence and advocates for nonviolent solutions in the community.
Lagrange’s interest in the intersection of storytelling and character empathy began with her analysis of violent characters in literature and film, leading her to the unique storytelling capabilities of video games. The Game Narrative Lab will showcase Corporation, Inc. at the upcoming DreamHack Atlanta event and is already working on its next project, a game titled AlleyCat, which also intends to promote empathy.