George W. Bush: The role-playing game

Political comments aside, SMU offers a master's degree in game design[1], and actually advertises that program a fair amount. I actually think it's kind of neat to integrate a presidential library with other programs/departments in the university (assuming, of course, the game was actually created at SMU and not just outsourced, which is entirely possible).

[1] http://www.smu.edu/guildhall

cpleppert• 13 years ago

I think the perspective is interesting but I'm not sure this is the best way to review complex decisions. It often times isn't so much a single decision but rather a chain of them that are taken after a major decision has been made that affects the outcome. I know that they want to brand Bush as a decisive leader but simply reducing the outcome in Iraq to the decision to invade or not is a little ridiculous. The criticism is both how the administration handled the entire planning and execution of the war and occupation combined with the decision to invade. Simply saying that decisions are tough without acknowledging the context they are made in is not only a short sighted but it isn't a great way to instill leaders who are ready to take responsibility.

galvanist• 13 years ago

This kinda thing already happens at the Ronald Regan foundation's "Air Force One Discovery Center," where a similar video-advisors-choose-your-own-adventure system is used. The Jan. 14 2011 "Kid Politics" episode of this American Life features a school group visit there.

- http://www.reaganfoundation.org/education-class-visit-discov...

- http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/424/t...

George W. Bush: The role-playing game

Related Stories