Customer Reviews

PeaceMaker: Play the News. Solve the Puzzle. (Mac or PC)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased PeaceMaker via download direct from ImpactGames several months ago. It is very deep and surprisingly fun. I haven't played a political simulator like this since Hidden Agenda, way back in the 80s. PeaceMaker is thoughtful, serious, and highly original.

Beware: Many of your options in the game are really booby traps! In particular, using violence to solve the conflict will only lead to an early (and humiliating) loss. As the title of the game states, you simply must be a peacemaker to win. However, early in the game, you will often find that being a peacemaker is not popular with your own people! You will have to win their trust and prove your leadership before you can make much concrete progress toward peace.

PeaceMaker is not a game for someone who is looking for a quick thrill or an easy diversion. You will have to make careful, well-reasoned choices to be successful. But if you're willing to think about your games -- and if you're interested in the concept -- PeaceMaker will be a very rewarding experience.

I recently finished my MA in International Relations with special interest in Middle East issues. I learned a lot of "facts" and heard many opinions about the Israel-Palestine conflict, but it wasn't until I played this game that I felt I could only BEGIN to understand each sides view and emotions of the situation. It is an enlightening view into the "can of worms" which makes up this very long and historic conflict.

As far as its "game quality" goes...I am not a video game player by default, so I really have nothing to compare it with. I do, however design instructional materials for online courses and this is a WONDERFULLY engaging learning experience.

I am not quite sure if you can win this game, I have not. It will certainly give you insight as to the problems that the leaders of both sides face when attempting to bring the mess to a conclusion.

Not a fun shoot em' up. A realistic take on how freaking hard it would be to be a leader of one of these nations. Interesting. Hard. Fun.

This game provides you with the ability to understand the complexity faced by decision makers at times of conflict. It is highly recommended.

PeaceMaker: Play the News. Solve the Puzzle. (Mac or PC)
Excellent game, it's so educational, even when you think you have the ability to solve the wars, you learn and realise why history has affected others opinions. You find that being The Peacemaker is not as easy as it sounds. You open your eyes to the big problem and realise we have a lot of work to do to make things right. Man's greed and corruption has to be overcome before any peace can take place.
Should be used in Schools.

This game really provides food for thought.

Did not get the video/sound to work, but I suspect it would simply be a drag on the action. A friend of mine was a Northern Ireland government minister and is also deeply involved in the Sri Lanka dispute. He was sucked into the game in minutes, and wouldn't give up.

The most useful part is being able to play both sides of the conflict. Many Israelis cannot image what it feels like to be on the Palestinian side and vice versa. This game gives both sides the chance to look at the other side of the fence.

PeaceMaker was on my radar since the write up in the New York Times a year ago. Playing both sides was a brilliant idea, using psychological tools in advertising is old news, agencies have been very good at the practice for years, sometimes to trick us into buying things we don't need.

The designers of PeaceMaker turned that on its head, using it in gaming to increase understanding of ideas and facts that you may not care to believe.

If you like great stories in any media, movies, books, plays and even if it is the only video game you ever buy you should give this a try.

PeaceMaker is a very good simulation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that provides you with a good overall understanding of the conflict while challenging you to consider the different inherent dynamics. It could be combined with the recently published award-winning Global Conflicts: Palestine that takes a more personal approach to the topic.

Excellent game. It shows the real complexities of trying to solve the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.