New video games mirror debates about data privacy, hacking

A man shuffles down the street, phone in hand. He appears to be reading a message, but in fact he’s hacking into city computer systems and peering into the pockets of passersby — flicking through their bank accounts, government records and personal details. This kind of nightmare scenario is the feature of a new video game called ‘Watch Dogs,’ one of a number of new video game titles that put the player in the role of the passing hacker. Hacking and cyber warfare are not new themes for video game makers. But new titles that center on constant data threats and government surveillance are resonating now because they hit a little too close to home.