So, I just used Bioshock in my Philosophy Class...

[Vern5]

Sure, but would you say that of a movie that was 10% dialogue/story and 90% spectacle? Because that's what Bioshock is. Just substitute dialogue with philosophy and spectacle with setting crazy people on fire.

The funny thing about that is the majority of people who played Bioshock can't remember the 90% of mook-slaying because it all just blurs together into a bloody haze of half-recollections. What the players do remember were those scenes where they couldn't or were not led to melt someone's face off, such as the big reveal or their last chat with Andrew Ryan.

 

[lacktheknack]

philosophy class

I can't tell if Germany is really hardcore or just has insane expectations.

OT: That seems like a good method of delivery.

It's difficult to make edutainment actually entertaining, though, which is why the students mostly remember the slasher sections.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

I am not surprised things besides flashy violence goes over kids heads. Deep thought in a child isn't a given, either they do it or they're too wrapped up in being a kid to care. Otherwise cool idea.

 

[Ruzinus]

Okay 1 - My High School didn't even have Philosophy. The idea of it being an available course in a middle school is just so freaking cool.

2 - C'mon, the surgeon is kinda fascinating. His increasing obsession with the idea that he's an artist is great.

3 - Bioshock IS about the Big Daddy. AND the surgeon. AND Objectivism. AND the flaws of relying on gardens for oxygen in an underwater city rather than just having a crapton of algae spread around various sections. AND the interplay of systems (or lack thereof, which is the more the case in this particular game). AND player motivations.

What I'm saying is that no piece of media is about one thing (with the possible sole exception of The Crucible). And games are most especially not about one thing. They're conversation spaces for ALL THE THINGS.

 

[TheMigrantSoldier]

I did a piece about Utopia and Dystopia featuring Bioshock in my HS English course. I felt like I didn't do it any justice. I barely touched on Objectivism...

I'm not surprised that the philosophy was lost on the kids. Still, props to you.