Gaming for your vote

Despite a focus on new media channels this Australian election, game platforms remain relatively untouched by politicians. But not for much longer.

A challenge that’s yet to be accepted. Source: Instagram.

Greens Senator Nick McKim wants to end would-be right-wing Prime Minister candidate Peter Dutton… in Fortnite.

The veteran Tasmanian senator — whose career has spanned over two decades in federal politics — is perhaps the only politician who has taken to a gaming platform to pitch himself and his party to voters ahead of the May 3 poll.

"It's a way to actually have conversations rather than relying on one-way
broadcasts through traditional media," McKim told Infinite Lives. "People should be able to have genuine engagement with their elected representatives and this is one way to do that. Hopefully it makes politics a bit more relevant for some people."

Crucially, McKim didn't start playing Epic's cartoon-like arena shooter to campaign. He says he was already on the game and used it as a means to connect with his family who were scattered …