Iced!

Developer(s)GarageGames
Breakthrough
Designer(s)Heidi J. Boisvert
Natalia Rodriguez
EngineTorque
Platform(s)Windows, macOS
ReleaseJanuary 2008
Genre(s)Life simulation
Mode(s)Single-player

ICED! I Can End Deportation is a role-playing video game in which the player takes on the role of an illegal immigrant.[1] The purpose of the game is to educate players about immigration and impact public opinion about immigration issues.[2][3][4] The target demographics for the game include high school and college students.[5] The game was developed with the Torque game engine.[3][6] It is available for free on Microsoft Windows and macOS.[7][8] As of October 2008, the game received about 110,000 downloads.[9]

It was developed by GarageGames and Breakthrough (a human rights organization) and launched in 2008.[1][3][6] The game was created and designed by Heidi Boisvert and Natalia Rodriguez.[3][8] The name plays off the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).[citation needed] The game puts the player in the role of an immigrant in the United States, with five player character options.[9][3][4] It portrays the limits on immigrants' rights which were a result of immigration laws passed in 1996.[citation needed] Players must avoid deportation or incarceration; other endings include voluntary deportation or attaining citizenship.[8] The player must answer myth-or-fact questions about immigration policy correctly to avoid detention; they can also engage in community service.[3][10][11] The characters in the game were based on real situations.[8][3] Aspects of the game were also inspired by the Grand Theft Auto video game series.[10]

The game was featured in Teen Second Life.[3][7] ICED has been a part of school curricula for better student understanding of legal and human rights issues.[4] High school students in New York City, detained immigrants, and immigration lawyers were consulted for the development of the game.[5][10][11] A questionnaire by the Center for Children & Technology suggested the game was effective in educating its audience on these topics.[2]

  1. ^ a b Burns, Melissa; Diamond, Jim (2008). "ICED: I Can End Deportation Game Evaluation". Center for Children & Technology. Education Development Center. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Diamond, Jim (June 1, 2008). "Evaluation of Breakthrough's ICED video game". Center for Children & Technology. Education Development Center. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "New Social Game Explores Complex Immigration Issue". IGN. February 26, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Carlson, Jen (February 19, 2008). "New Game Teaches Immigration Laws". Gothamist. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Wang, Hua; Singhal, Arvind, "Entertainment-Education Through Digital Games", Serious Games, doi:10.4324/9780203891650-29/entertainment-education-digital-games-hua-wang-arvind-singhal, archived from the original on September 20, 2022, retrieved September 20, 2022{{citation}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ a b Fotino, Hillary. "ICED". Serious Game Analysis. Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Magid, Larry (February 19, 2008). "A P.O.V. Game On Immigration". CBS News. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d Sliwinski, A. (February 18, 2008). "ICED makes game out of immigration debate". Engadget. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Bernstein, Nina (October 4, 2008). "Death of Detained Immigrant Inspires Online Game With Goal of Educating Players". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Totilo, Stephen (February 19, 2008). "'Grand Theft Auto' Helps Shape New Game About Immigrants In America, In 'GameFile'". MTV. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Virtual immigrants struggle for citizenship in new game". Chron. February 20, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2022.