Gun safety nonprofit Change the Ref, in collaboration with Energy BBDO, has launched a groundbreaking video game aimed at raising awareness about gun violence in schools. The game, titled “The Final Exam,” challenges players to survive a simulated school shooting by collecting key legal bills that could help prevent such tragedies in real life.
A New Approach to Gun Safety Education
Launched on September 20 during TwitchCon, “The Final Exam” offers a unique way to educate players about the harsh reality of gun violence while empowering them to drive real change. The goal is to escape the school safely, but survival is only possible by collecting important gun safety bills scattered throughout the game.
Developed in partnership with Webcore Games, Druid Creative Gaming, and Flutu Music, “The Final Exam” immerses players in a school shooting scenario. Every element, from escape drills to the sounds and alarms, has been designed using real data from actual school shootings. The result is an emotionally charged experience that reflects the grim reality of such events.
Game Mechanics: Learn and Survive
In the game, players must navigate the school and find factual data hidden in school books, bulletin boards, and maps. These details provide critical information about gun violence in the U.S., making players more aware of the scope of the problem. Throughout the game, five specific gun safety bills are highlighted, educating players on the potential impact of these laws:
- Ban of Assault Weapons
- Secure Storage (Ethan’s Law)
- Ban of High-Capacity Magazines
- Background Checks for All Gun Sales
- Raise the Minimum Age to Purchase Firearms
To successfully “win” the game, players must collect all five bills and escape the school.
Target Audience and Impact
“The Final Exam” was designed to engage a wide audience, including Gen-Z, boomers, parents, students aged 18-22, and gun control activists. Energy BBDO’s goal was to gamify gun violence awareness in a way that reaches diverse groups and motivates them to support gun safety reforms.
The game is available for download on computers, providing an interactive tool for educating people about the importance of gun safety legislation. With its realistic approach and informative gameplay, “The Final Exam” aims to inspire real-world action to reduce gun violence in schools and beyond.
