The Associated Press has an interesting story out there about the rising popularity of political games.

Friend of Kotaku and Georgia Tech prof Ian Bogost serves as guide to the story, talking the writer and readers through the evolution of the niche and its growing importance in society.

"I'm not against fun. I like to play the same video games everyone else does. But I don't believe that video games have to be fun," Bogost said. "I think they need to be given the opportunity to bother and disturb us."

The story touches on some infamous bits of mainstream messaging, like the failed ending of Balance of Power and the gay men in SimCopter. While it's an interesting primer on the subject, the author picked a strange way to wrap things up, essentially arguing that games don't play a bigger role in American life because they are just a form of escapism.

The answer may lie, in part, in the industry's past. Because it developed along with a generation that was bombarded from every direction with the latest news, there may be a reason why video gaming focuses on fantasy.

"Other media have at times decided the way to address all those things is to delve into them," said Sawyer. "And maybe gaming, at least right now, is meant to be escapist."

I find it odd because it's widely accepted that using fantasy or fiction in literature, television and movies to mask the reality of what you are trying to deal with is a great way to tackle an issue free of the preconceived notions most people carry around with them. Brian Crecente

Creators put politics into video games [AP]