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Power Play: Video Games, Politics and the Battle for Global Influence
'Essential reading for anyone trying to understand where the next influence operation is being built'
ELIOT HIGGINS, founder of Bellingcat
'Revelatory . . . will fundamentally change how you understand modern power'
KELLY CLANCY, author of Playing with Reality
__________________________________
In Power Play , leading game industry expert George E. Osborn reveals how video games - the world's largest entertainment medium - are being used by autocrats, populists and violent extremists to influence the real world around us.
Video games are the world's largest entertainment medium. They are played by billions of people of all ages every year, generating hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue.
But they are more than an entertainment product. They connect people across the globe, creating digital third places where people talk, share ideas and build identities, fostering diverse communities capable of dominating the digital discourse now shaping our reality.
While democracies continue to underestimate the potential for influence in this space, others have seized the opportunity to control, co-opt or collaborate with video game communities to wield the power of these vast information ecosystems.
Saudi Arabia is spending tens of billions of dollars acquiring video games businesses to wash its reputation. Russia has funded video game development to help spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine. Steve Bannon utilised tactics deployed by online video game communities to propel Donald Trump into the White House, and Charlie Kirk's alleged assassin even carved video game references into his bullets.
Supported by the insights of politicians, academics and industry experts, Power Play is the vital guide for understanding this new political frontier, highlighting what democracies must do to protect and harness the immense power of play before the essential battle for digital influence is lost for good.
ELIOT HIGGINS, founder of Bellingcat
'Revelatory . . . will fundamentally change how you understand modern power'
KELLY CLANCY, author of Playing with Reality
__________________________________
In Power Play , leading game industry expert George E. Osborn reveals how video games - the world's largest entertainment medium - are being used by autocrats, populists and violent extremists to influence the real world around us.
Video games are the world's largest entertainment medium. They are played by billions of people of all ages every year, generating hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue.
But they are more than an entertainment product. They connect people across the globe, creating digital third places where people talk, share ideas and build identities, fostering diverse communities capable of dominating the digital discourse now shaping our reality.
While democracies continue to underestimate the potential for influence in this space, others have seized the opportunity to control, co-opt or collaborate with video game communities to wield the power of these vast information ecosystems.
Saudi Arabia is spending tens of billions of dollars acquiring video games businesses to wash its reputation. Russia has funded video game development to help spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine. Steve Bannon utilised tactics deployed by online video game communities to propel Donald Trump into the White House, and Charlie Kirk's alleged assassin even carved video game references into his bullets.
Supported by the insights of politicians, academics and industry experts, Power Play is the vital guide for understanding this new political frontier, highlighting what democracies must do to protect and harness the immense power of play before the essential battle for digital influence is lost for good.
Audible Audio
Published June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 6, 2026
In today's scenario, video game and social media influence is becoming a part of daily life. Every person wants to find out how to become more influential. In this book, how technology developed for entertainment became a way for political campaigns and regimes to influence millions.
It is a great book that introduced me to the most important cultural technique of this century and how it is used by our adversaries to corrode and undermine our democracies.
The author has well captured the need of each sector and how it played an essential role in building the consumer market for computing products. He depicted vividly how in mid 2000's, games hardware built a player base that was ready to be reached to communties as they needed high speed internet access to congregate, communicate and create content.
The main side effect of the adoption of video games hardware is that it created the conditions upon which the ownership of a cheap, high- powered computer shifted from the dream of consumers in a few wealthy nations to a part of life for billions of people across the world.
Even the democratization of video game development has built the architecture of a video game information revolution; those games still needed a way to reach an audience.
The author has well penned each phase in detail and explained in simple language the need and evolution of video games. His well-researched details added to my knowledge and enhanced my focus.
Overall, it is an insightful read.
It is a great book that introduced me to the most important cultural technique of this century and how it is used by our adversaries to corrode and undermine our democracies.
The author has well captured the need of each sector and how it played an essential role in building the consumer market for computing products. He depicted vividly how in mid 2000's, games hardware built a player base that was ready to be reached to communties as they needed high speed internet access to congregate, communicate and create content.
The main side effect of the adoption of video games hardware is that it created the conditions upon which the ownership of a cheap, high- powered computer shifted from the dream of consumers in a few wealthy nations to a part of life for billions of people across the world.
Even the democratization of video game development has built the architecture of a video game information revolution; those games still needed a way to reach an audience.
The author has well penned each phase in detail and explained in simple language the need and evolution of video games. His well-researched details added to my knowledge and enhanced my focus.
Overall, it is an insightful read.
July 17, 2026
This book is eye-opening and informative. Author has captured strategies, hidden motives, and influence over the world so profoundly. Video games were developed for entertainment purpose, but over the years, they have captured people, politics, and the entire market. I didn’t know about disinformation. Where video games connect millions of people and serve their purpose, author has shared what we couldn’t see and how they are transforming the world. All I can say is that everyone should read this book because author has unveiled everything that we have been oblivion to, in infinite layers. There comes a point where geopolitics, culture, and technics intertwines. The influence of video games is growing and they have started shaping how young generation view the world. With effective strategies, and purpose, government in some countries have fulfilled their motives.
If you are curious about how video games were originated and how technology has evolved over time, you must read this book. This book will serve as a guide to you. What stood out to me is that author has opened my eyes by unveiling the strategic purposes used by governments of different countries to gain power and spread disinformation. You know when something been designed for pure entertainment purpose turns into something that influence the whole world, it’s difficult to understand its effect first, but once you do, you can’t go back. So this is a must read.
Thanks to the Publisher
If you are curious about how video games were originated and how technology has evolved over time, you must read this book. This book will serve as a guide to you. What stood out to me is that author has opened my eyes by unveiling the strategic purposes used by governments of different countries to gain power and spread disinformation. You know when something been designed for pure entertainment purpose turns into something that influence the whole world, it’s difficult to understand its effect first, but once you do, you can’t go back. So this is a must read.
Thanks to the Publisher
July 21, 2026
🎮✨ What if I told you that video games changed the world in ways we rarely think about?
*Power Play* by George E. Osborn isn't just about consoles, pixels, or high scores—it's the fascinating story of an industry that shaped childhoods, connected people across continents, and became a global cultural phenomenon.
As a millennial, this book took me straight back to the days of handheld consoles, PlayStations, and hours spent trying to beat just one more level. But beyond the nostalgia, it also reveals how gaming transformed globalization, technology, and the way we build friendships around the world.
If you've ever picked up a controller, this is a book worth reading.
🎮 **What's the first video game you were obsessed with? Tell me in the comments—I want to know what defined your childhood!**
*Power Play* by George E. Osborn isn't just about consoles, pixels, or high scores—it's the fascinating story of an industry that shaped childhoods, connected people across continents, and became a global cultural phenomenon.
As a millennial, this book took me straight back to the days of handheld consoles, PlayStations, and hours spent trying to beat just one more level. But beyond the nostalgia, it also reveals how gaming transformed globalization, technology, and the way we build friendships around the world.
If you've ever picked up a controller, this is a book worth reading.
🎮 **What's the first video game you were obsessed with? Tell me in the comments—I want to know what defined your childhood!**
August 30, 2026
Great book on videogames and how they play a critical role in the geopolitics of the world, suggesting how to understand them avoiding any unnecessary criminalisation. Audiobook is great too as it is beautifully narrated by the author! Well done George!
July 12, 2026
All politicians should read this and take games seriously, as they should with social media.
August 22, 2026
Not really my bag. A few good examples, but felt like an extended explainer article, rather than a narrative driven piece. That's fine, just not for me!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews