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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Angel Torres-Toukoumidis & Isidro Marín Gutiérrez & Mónica Hinojosa Becerra & Tatiana León-Alberca & Concha Pérez Curiel, 2023. "Let’s Play Democracy, Exploratory Analysis of Political Video Games," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:28-:d:1049188
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nick Robinson, 2012. "Videogames, Persuasion and the War on Terror: Escaping or Embedding the Military–Entertainment Complex?," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 60(3), pages 504-522, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jenniffer Soto de la Cruz & Sara Cortés Gómez & Pilar Lacasa, 2025. "Contemporary Political Discourse in Digital Games: A Systematic Approach," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 13.

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