In this Conflicted Conversation, George Osborn draws on his excellent new book Power Play: Video Games, Politics and the Battle for Global Influence to reveal the hidden political power of video games.Once dismissed as a niche hobby, gaming has become one of the largest social environments ever created: a vast digital third space where billions of people form identities, build communities, and increasingly encounter politics — often aligned with authoritarian agendas.George explains: The history of video games: from arcades to global digital networks How gaming helped drive the modern technology revolution Why video games became the ‘third spaces’ of the internet age Steam, online gaming, and the rise of digital communities How China controls and regulates gaming culture Saudi Arabia's investment strategy in gaming and esports Russia, information warfare, and influence operations in gaming Gamergate and the politicisation of gaming communities Steve Bannon, online culture, and the rise of populist politicsJoin the Conflicted Community here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find George on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/georgeosborn.bsky.socialAnd on Instagram: www.instagram.com/george_e_osbornAnd his Newsletter: www.videogamesindustrymemo.comFind us on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/MHconflicted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠And Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠And Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/conflictedpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conflicted is a Message Heard production.Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.Produced and edited by Thomas Small.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices