This is a tricky one - finding the agency for the oppressed is always difficult. This is why I like using history as a foundation. It helps provide real examples of anti-colonial movements. Looking for those moments where the colonial power was not total is helpful for inspiration.
I would second this. Foregrounding historically-grounded agency & different ways that oppressed peoples have navigated their situation could really elevate a game with this theme. Imagine an RPG where the different "classes" represent different kinds of resistance! Fun, educational AND empowering!
@alanau.bsky.social What Kav says here seems pertinent to your game as well. Side note: as a veteran, the admiralty may have been bad faith actors, but I assure you that the lower ranks were not as steeped in koolaid. There’s push back*, even if I only makes things less bad *not enough, but some
I wonder if the right way to handle this is to set the win condition to something that the colonialists weren't even thinking about, but the oppressed were. "You're going to lose according to their rules, but the game is to acheive your goal X before you do"
Yes, I think a lot of anti-colonial thinking tends to revolve around "yeahhhhh, we're not playing the same game as you" so I can see that translating well into thematic game design too! Different/secret win conditions might help emulate the opacity of these struggles too, ala Discwork: Ankh Morpork
Yes precisely, but I’d also argue that the colonial narrative of inevitability that we’ve been feed is flawed at best. There are frequently many points of uncertain conflict and defeat for colonizers that preceded eventual conquest (or didn’t). Important to recognize those events
Fantastic point! Some of my research has involved scrutinizing Germany's colonial aspirations. They were in the game a lot longer than people realise, but there was SO much failure before they tricked their way into finally usurping territory.