Playing for Justice: How Impartial is Transforming the Criminal Justice Conversation Through Gaming
At Impartial, we're on a mission to inspire meaningful change in the criminal justice system—and we're doing it in an unconventional way: through a groundbreaking video game series. This isn't just a game; it's a deeply personal story, rooted in real experiences, designed to educate, challenge, and empower players to explore the complexities of our legal system.
Why Gaming?
For generations raised with controllers in hand, video games are more than entertainment—they're a dynamic medium for storytelling and education. Here's why we chose gaming to tell this story:
- Accessible Learning: Games provide an intuitive way to explore intricate systems. Through engaging gameplay, players can better understand the complexities of criminal justice in ways a textbook never could.
- Safe Exploration: Gaming allows players to make impactful decisions without real-life consequences. Through these choices, they see how decisions ripple through the system, providing valuable insights into the stakes and outcomes of real-world scenarios.
- Catalysts for Change: By imagining alternative paths, games create space for innovation and reform. They challenge players to think differently, potentially sparking ideas for real-world improvements.
What We've Built So Far
We've already developed three key chapters in this journey:
- Investigation: Examine the facts, interview witnesses, and piece together the truth.
- The Grand Jury: Decide what evidence to present and how to navigate the system's gatekeepers.
- The Plea Deals: Navigate one of the most critical—and controversial—aspects of the criminal justice process.
Thanks to support from a local college, our development continues to grow, with hopes to complete the series in the coming semesters. Each chapter dives deeper into the system's mechanics and the human stories that drive it.
Step Into the System
Our games don't just simulate the process; they ask players to confront tough questions:
- Will you gamble for a better plea deal or take the first offer?
- What do the statistics tell you about trial outcomes? (Fun fact: Only about 2% of federal criminal cases go to trial, with 90% ending in plea deals, according to the Pew Research Center.)
- How far will you push when so much is unknown?
But this isn't just about mechanics; it's about the human experience. Why do people plead guilty? It's not always black and white. Players will explore reasons such as:
- Reducing potential sentences.
- Fear of the unpredictability of trial outcomes.
- External pressures from family or community.
- Simply wanting to move on.
For me, the truth was non-negotiable. Pleading to something I didn't do wasn't an option, and that decision—though challenging—shaped my identity and self-worth. These are the stakes we invite you to explore.
Your Choices, Your Path
Through our games, we put you in the driver's seat. Does truth matter more than the deal? Are you willing to fight for justice, or will the pressures of the system force your hand? The decisions you make ripple through the narrative and shape your outcome.
No matter how you play, one thing is clear: these choices matter—in the game and in real life.
Join the Movement
We're not just building a game series; we're building a platform for dialogue, education, and change. Together, we can reimagine what justice looks like and take steps toward meaningful reform.
So, what's your next move? Let's explore the system—and the possibilities for change—together.
