Phone Story Guides Players Through the Conditions of Slave Wage Workers
Omar Yusuf — September 18, 2011 — Tech
References: indiegames & gamepolitics
Phone Story, an iPhone app that consists of several mini-games, kicked up a controversial stir this past week and was subsequently removed from Apple's software market without much explanation. What could have happened?
Developed by MolleIndustria -- most known for its popular flash game 'Every Day the Same Dream' -- Phone Story essentially guides players through the production process of modern smartphones. The entire operation begins with miners extracting rare metals in war-torn Congo, moves onto outsourced labor in China, and then continues on to clearing waste in Pakistan. The game finally ends at a Best Buy, where eager Western consumers pick up the smartphone at inflated costs, pouring money into the coffers of huge tech corporations.
Needless to say, Apple doesn't want people to know about the social and economic externalities caused by its products -- the company would much prefer that you assume iPhones were developed in green, sustainable and humane conditions. It's a shame, because MolleIndustria intended to forward all its earnings to charities.
Developed by MolleIndustria -- most known for its popular flash game 'Every Day the Same Dream' -- Phone Story essentially guides players through the production process of modern smartphones. The entire operation begins with miners extracting rare metals in war-torn Congo, moves onto outsourced labor in China, and then continues on to clearing waste in Pakistan. The game finally ends at a Best Buy, where eager Western consumers pick up the smartphone at inflated costs, pouring money into the coffers of huge tech corporations.
Needless to say, Apple doesn't want people to know about the social and economic externalities caused by its products -- the company would much prefer that you assume iPhones were developed in green, sustainable and humane conditions. It's a shame, because MolleIndustria intended to forward all its earnings to charities.
Trend Themes
1. Controversial Gaming Apps - Developing gaming apps with controversial themes can spark discussions and raise awareness about social and economic issues.
2. Transparency in Supply Chains - There is a growing demand for transparency in supply chains, pushing companies to disclose information about the social and environmental impact of their products.
3. Ethical Consumerism - More consumers are seeking out products and services that align with their values, promoting ethical consumerism as a trend to watch.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile Gaming - The mobile gaming industry can explore the creation of thought-provoking games that shed light on social and economic issues.
2. Electronics Manufacturing - The electronics manufacturing industry can embrace transparency in supply chains to address concerns about labor conditions and environmental impact.
3. Consumer Electronics Retail - Consumer electronics retailers can capitalize on the trend of ethical consumerism by offering products that are manufactured under fair and sustainable conditions.
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