Games for the Pluriverse: Exploring the Use, Opportunities, and Problems of Drawing from Local Cultural Heritage in Video Games.

Lina Eklund, Renard Gluzman (Corresponding author), Kristin K Jørgensen, Fares Kayali, Elena Roinioti, Vered Pnueli

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the growing trend of European game developers embracing their cultural heritage with greater dedication. Taking a bottom-up approach, we showcase various successful examples of games that engage with local cultural canons. Additionally, we investigate how games can evolve into creators of cultural heritage by examining those that have already achieved such status. Furthermore, we delve into the potential fusion between independent games and cultural heritage by presenting several paradigms and posing pertinent questions about this evolution. Our study offers a framework that envisions games with strong local identities from diverse regions forming transnational networks and agencies within the videogame industry. Such developments could give rise to a new European game scene that draws inspiration primarily from local heritages, thereby fueling creativity and innovation in the field.

Original languageEnglish
JournalGames and Culture
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Feb 2024

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 509014 Game research
  • 605008 Cultural heritage
  • 605007 Digital humanities

Keywords

  • cultural heritage
  • European game developers
  • paradigms in game development
  • pluriverse
  • world games

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