Video Games: The Global Battleground of Modern Politics

In this Conflicted Conversation, George Osborn draws on his excellent new book Power Play: Video Games, Politics and the Battle for Global Influence to reveal the hidden political power of video games.

Once dismissed as a niche hobby, gaming has become one of the largest social environments ever created: a vast digital third space where billions of people form identities, build communities, and increasingly encounter politics — often aligned with authoritarian agendas.

George explains:

• The history of video games: from arcades to global digital networks
• How gaming helped drive the modern technology revolution
• Why video games became the ‘third spaces’ of the internet age
• Steam, online gaming, and the rise of digital communities
• How China controls and regulates gaming culture
• Saudi Arabia's investment strategy in gaming and esports
• Russia, information warfare, and influence operations in gaming
• Gamergate and the politicisation of gaming communities
• Steve Bannon, online culture, and the rise of populist politics

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Find George on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/georgeosborn.bsky.social

And on Instagram: www.instagram.com/george_e_osborn

And his Newsletter: www.videogamesindustrymemo.com

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Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

Produced and edited by Thomas Small.

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