By Karoline Castillo-Troncoso

The devastating nature of mass school shootings, having occurred throughout various parts of the United States, has left and continues to leave a profound and lasting impact on families. It also affects the conscience of the nation. School shootings have become a tragic phenomenon and a popular topic within the scope of politics. These horrendous occurrences have become a heartbreaking reality for numerous families around the world and have sparked intense debate surrounding the passage of gun control laws, the concept of school safety, and mental health. 

“The Final Exam,” a game developed by Webcore Games and published by Change The Ref is a free simulation game created to raise awareness of the severity of school shootings. The parents of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, Manuel, and Patricia Oliver, who are also co-founders of the simulation, created the game to “educate players on the harsh realities of mass shootings and empower them to drive real change against gun violence.” 

This game deals with Columbine, Sandy Hook, and Parkland mass school shootings, while also aiming to shed light on the hundreds of other schools that have been affected by the calamitous nature of such occurrences. With blaring sounds of gut-wrenching screams, violent gunshots, and heart palpitations, “The Final Exam” simulates a mass school shooting as it immerses players in the emotional and physical chaos of such a tragedy. As players navigate through the disorienting setting of the now messy, dim-lit halls of the school, scattered desks and papers, fallen lockers, and barricaded classroom doors portray the unsettling aftermath of the chaos. Players are confronted with abrupt objectives immediately inducing an adrenaline rush and activating one’s fight or flight response. “Hide from the shooter,” “Find a place to hide,” and “Search for a way out,” are objectives given to players within the game, simulating the subconscious of an individual who experiences trying to escape the danger within the setting of a mass school shooting. You have just moments to complete these commands in this harried, frightening world. It all gives individuals a glimpse of what victims of school shootings experience as they have to think on their feet amidst the fear and uncertainty of whether or not they will get through the school day.

Every time an objective is completed, a gun bill is collected. Whether it be a bill that aims to raise the minimum age for purchasing firearms, or a law requiring background checks for all gun sales, implementing such proposals into this game not only educates players but also encourages those reading to take action. Rather than remaining neutral, players are compelled to take a stance. The urgent nature of this game inspires and prompts players to do further research on gun violence.

I recommend “The Final Exam” to individuals who desire to gain a deeper empathy and awareness for the victims of mass school shootings and who are curious as to what it may have been like to be in the shoes of those students and staff as they had to traverse the frightening setting of a school shooting. It’s completely scary. But it needs to be played, and then, considered. What would you do in this situation – and afterwards.

Karoline is our intern from the Bronx’s TapCo school. She won our scholarship for writing a social justice-oriented, one-act play based on a video game.

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