Medal of Honor
Location
FA-255
Start Date
2-5-2025 10:30 AM
Department
Art + Design
Abstract
War extends beyond battlefield victories, profoundly affecting those who serve. "Medal of Honor" is a multiplayer board game about real military medals, highlighting the challenges veterans face. It satirizes the contrast between the honors veterans receive and the hardships they endure post-service, shedding light on their struggles. In the game, players assume the roles of soldiers navigating a simulated service period, facing events and challenges that determine the medals they earn. They must make difficult decisions, balancing risk and reward while dealing with battlefield situations, military bureaucracy, and personal sacrifices. However, instead of celebrating their achievements, all medals are converted into their black-market value at the end, reflecting the harsh reality that many veterans are forced to sell their symbols of honor to survive. The player with the highest total wins. This game mechanic critiques the struggles veterans face, including PTSD, disabilities, broken families, and employment difficulties. The humorous, cartoonish art style adds an ironic contrast, keeping the experience lighthearted on the surface while delivering a serious message. The research and design of Medal of Honor draw on studies of war history, veterans' struggles, and psychological trauma, shaping the game's mechanics. Board games, as a medium, offer an engaging and thought-provoking way to address social issues from an emotionally safe distance. "Medal of Honor" targets players aged 16-36, particularly those interested in war games and military topics, encouraging them to reconsider the glorification of war. Through satire and gameplay, the project challenges players to recognize the realities of military service and inspires a more critical perspective on the treatment of veterans.
Faculty Sponsor
Lauren A Meranda
Medal of Honor
FA-255
War extends beyond battlefield victories, profoundly affecting those who serve. "Medal of Honor" is a multiplayer board game about real military medals, highlighting the challenges veterans face. It satirizes the contrast between the honors veterans receive and the hardships they endure post-service, shedding light on their struggles. In the game, players assume the roles of soldiers navigating a simulated service period, facing events and challenges that determine the medals they earn. They must make difficult decisions, balancing risk and reward while dealing with battlefield situations, military bureaucracy, and personal sacrifices. However, instead of celebrating their achievements, all medals are converted into their black-market value at the end, reflecting the harsh reality that many veterans are forced to sell their symbols of honor to survive. The player with the highest total wins. This game mechanic critiques the struggles veterans face, including PTSD, disabilities, broken families, and employment difficulties. The humorous, cartoonish art style adds an ironic contrast, keeping the experience lighthearted on the surface while delivering a serious message. The research and design of Medal of Honor draw on studies of war history, veterans' struggles, and psychological trauma, shaping the game's mechanics. Board games, as a medium, offer an engaging and thought-provoking way to address social issues from an emotionally safe distance. "Medal of Honor" targets players aged 16-36, particularly those interested in war games and military topics, encouraging them to reconsider the glorification of war. Through satire and gameplay, the project challenges players to recognize the realities of military service and inspires a more critical perspective on the treatment of veterans.