Let’s Play Democracy, Exploratory Analysis of Political Video Games

Angel Torres-Toukoumidis (), Isidro Marín Gutiérrez, Mónica Hinojosa Becerra, Tatiana León-Alberca and Concha Pérez Curiel
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Angel Torres-Toukoumidis: Social Science Knowledge and Human Behavior Department, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Cuenca 010105, Ecuador
Isidro Marín Gutiérrez: Department of State Law, Universidad de Málaga, 29016 Malaga, Spain
Mónica Hinojosa Becerra: Audiovisual Communication Department, Universidad de Málaga, 29016 Malaga, Spain
Tatiana León-Alberca: Education, Communication and Arts Faculty, Universidad Nacional de Loja, Loja 110103, Ecuador
Concha Pérez Curiel: Department of Journalism II, University of Seville, 41004 Sevilla, Spain

Societies, 2023, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: In current times, the concept of democracy has been transformed due to the ups and downs of the hyperdigitalized society, modifying its discourses and forms of participation. Recognizing that video games maintain a prominent role in the new generations, this research has the objective of analyzing independent video games related to the notion of democracy. For this reason, 26 video games were analyzed according to their democratic principles, their typology and their key components, resulting in a tendency towards the guarantee of civil liberties, political pluralism and separation of powers; likewise, there is a clear differentiation between persuasive and expressive video games, the former linked to polarization and criticism, while the latter responded to a reflexive conceptual line, added to the use of reward systems and progression in their key design components. It can be concluded that video games linked to democracy respond to an innovative interactive dimension that converts the traditional political canons by the creativity, freedom, and autonomy of the current audiences.

Keywords: democracy; serious games; political pluralism; civic liberties; social justice; game design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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