Game changer

Game makers Michael Fallik, from left, Antonio Andrade, Miguel Oliveira, Kayee Au and Tiffanie Mang took part in creating an in-development game, “Thralled,” where the player follows a former slave who searches for her son and relives her past traumas during the transatlantic slave trade. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Feb. 7, 2014 7:54 PM PT

Today’s thriving independent gaming scene is turning out more and more successful games that revolve around subjects more often tackled on independent film rather than your home video game console: poverty, race issues, prison overcrowding, cancer and privacy concerns.

Andi Santagata plays “Spaceteam” by Henry Smith during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. More than 200 games were showcased during the event. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Jacqueline Cottrell plays “Perfect Woman” by Peter Lu and Lea Schönfelder during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Amy Allison plays “Perfect Woman” by Peter Lu and Lea Schönfelder during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Edouard Lorenceau, left, and Brandon Winfrey play “Nidhogg” by Messhof during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Adam Levy, from left, Justice Daniels and Elise Inferrera play “Gone Home” by the Fullbright Co. during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Zack Johnson, left, and Kevin Simmons play “Hermit Crab in Space” by Golden Ruby Games during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Brianna Lei plays “Qube” on Wii during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Sarah Scialli, bottom, and Alex Beachum play “Nidhogg” by Messhof during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Romain Deciron, from left, Luke Larsen, Josephine Tsay, Alexander Martin and Daniel Murray play games from the 36 finalists who showcased their games at the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Louis Strongin, from left, Lilian Chan and Ben Strickland act as robots for a game called “Batonk” during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Andrew Fleming, from left, Matt Kriete and Mark Piszczor play “Batonk” during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Garrett Dewald tries out the Oculus VR, a high-definition virtual reality headset, during the IndieCade Festival in Culver City. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Oliveira, 23, who graduated from USC last May, is a creative director of the video game “Thralled,” which he calls an interactive experience. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Entertainment & Arts

Game changer

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