As far as innovative uses of technology go, video games have become one of the most creative and accessible tools available for fostering sociocultural understanding. Though the idea has been around for a while, games are much more complex and their applications broader than ever before.
One of the more recent to come to our attention is Bordergames, which simulates the experience of living as a young immigrant in Lavapies, the "barrio bajo" of Madrid. The game was created by a group of activist artists from Lavapies who call themselves "La Fiambrera Obrera."
What makes Bordergames particularly unique is the design and development of the project. The game is not a finished product, but a continually evolving collaborative process. As constructive contributions come in from both the local immigrant youth, and the online players, the scenarios in the game change. As such, it becomes a creative medium for cultural exchange between people situated in these simulated circumstances, and a globally networked community of players. La Fiambrera Obrera is expected to develop several new versions of Bordergames for other regions around Europe.
