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Dive Into the Past: Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Represented in Chinese Mobile Games

[journal article]

Que, Yixiang
de La Hera, Teresa
Jansz, Jeroen

Abstract

This study delves into the representation of intangible Chinese cultural heritage in Chinese mobile games. Nowadays, even with huge economic potential, Chinese mobile games are still faced with negative comments, especially from parents. To develop their reputation, Chinese mobile games have portray... view more

This study delves into the representation of intangible Chinese cultural heritage in Chinese mobile games. Nowadays, even with huge economic potential, Chinese mobile games are still faced with negative comments, especially from parents. To develop their reputation, Chinese mobile games have portrayed considerate Chinese intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The representation of cultural heritage in video games has been a subject of discussion for a long time, while console and computer games and tangible cultural heritage have been at the centre of academic studies. Hence, we strived to investigate how Chinese ICH is depicted in Chinese mobile games. A thematic analysis was conducted on data collected through analytical gameplay of 30 Chinese mobile games selected from Apple's App Store and the Chinese TapTap platform. Our analysis indicates that Chinese ICH is represented in Chinese mobile games to fulfil the persona of game characters, to create a more engaging and immersive game world experience, to provide more intense combat moments, to offer visually enjoyable virtual goods, and to deliver culturally driven updates during traditional festivals. Among the various forms of Chinese ICH, Chinese traditional craftsmanship is found to be used most frequently because of the huge effort it requires to be mastered, which could be educational to players. Theatrical traditions were found to be depicted in most game elements because they combine visual, audio, and motional elements. Lastly, folk and classical literature is portrayed in Chinese mobile games to provide a narrative resource that culturally resonates with players.... view less

Keywords
China; cultural heritage; computer game; cell phone

Classification
Interactive, electronic Media
Media Contents, Content Analysis

Free Keywords
Chinese culture; Chinese mobile games; cultural heritage representation; intangible cultural heritage

Document language
English

Publication Year
2025

Journal
Media and Communication, 13 (2025)

Issue topic
Digital Games at the Forefront of Change: On the Meaningfulness of Games and Game Studies

ISSN
2183-2439

Status
Published Version; peer reviewed

Licence
Creative Commons - Attribution 4.0


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