
CLIENT:
change the ref
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AGENCY:
ENERGY BBDO
ROLE:
CONCEPT
ART DIRECTION
DESIGN
The Final Exam is a hyper-realistic survival game that puts players in the shoes of a defenseless student caught in a school shooting, transforming gameplay into
a powerful call for change. Created in partnership with Change The Ref and Webcore Games, the project flips the long-standing narrative that video games cause
gun violence, using the medium instead to educate players on real-life gun control legislation.
Blending immersive storytelling, real legislative data, and guerrilla outreach to top gaming influencers, The Final Exam engaged hundreds of thousands
of gamers across the United States. To survive the game, players had to find five real gun control bills hidden in the environment, pushing them to learn about
policies that could save lives. After completing the game, players were encouraged to tag politicians on social media, amplifying public pressure
for legislative action.
The campaign reached far beyond the screen, making headlines on livestreams, podcasts, national news, and even influencing lawmakers in Washington, D.C.,
where it helped spark the introduction of bill S.595. From gaming festivals to university classrooms, The Final Exam became a movement.
At The One Show, it became the fifth most awarded idea of the entire festival. The campaign also helped Change the Ref earn Non-Profit Client of the Year and placed
Energy as the seventh most awarded agency in the world.
year: 2024


















