In the rapidly evolving digital world, online games have become powerful tools for education, socialisation and cultural exchange. Beyond simple entertainment, these interactive platforms offer unique opportunities to learn about diverse cultures, build meaningful friendships and promote a global community. This post analyses how games can teach about cultural awareness, the impact of online games on the formation of friendships and ways in which they allow us to explore different cultures.
How games can teach about cultural awareness
Cultural awareness is a key component of comprehensive education, since it promotes empathy, understanding and respect for people from different origins. Online games, with their immersive environments and attractive narratives, can play an important role in the teaching of cultural awareness in several ways:
Representation and inclusion: Many modern games present characters of different origins, reflecting a variety of cultures through their design, language and stories. Games like “Assassin’s Creed” and “Never Alone” (Kisima Ingitchuna) incorporate historical and cultural elements, allowing players to directly experience different traditions and perspectives. These representations help players to understand and value cultural diversity.
Language learning: Often, games require players to interact with different languages, whether through dialogues, instructions or texts. Games designed for language learning, like “Duolingo”, or those that offer enriching cultural experiences with multilingual options, can improve linguistic skills and expose new language matrices, thus promoting a deeper cultural understanding.
Historical contexts: Historical games provide an interactive way to explore different eras and cultures. For example, the ‘Civilization’ series allows players to guide civilisations from different parts of the world through various historical periods, promoting an appreciation of the complexities and achievements of diverse cultures.
Mythology and folklore: Often, games are inspired by mythology and folklore, offering players information about cultural beliefs and stories. Titles such as “Okami” and “God of War” incorporate elements from Japanese and Nordic mythology respectively, educating players on their rich traditions through an attractive gaming experience.
The role of online games in the construction of friendships
Online games aren’t merely individual experiences; they are dynamic social platforms where players can get to know each other, interact and create lasting friendships. This is how online games facilitate social connections and build friendships:
Collaborative gaming: Many online games require teamwork and cooperation. Games like “Fortnite”, “Overwatch” and “Minecraft” encourage players to work together to achieve common goals, promoting communication, cooperation and camaraderie. Through these interactions, players often establish strong bonds and friendships.
Virtual communities: Online games have vibrant communities where players can discuss strategies, share experiences and help each other. Platforms like Discord, Reddit and gaming forums provide spaces in which players can connect with each other, share their passion for gaming and build relationships that go beyond the game itself.
Shared experiences: Shared experiences of triumphs and challenges in the games generate a strong sense of camaraderie. Overcoming difficult levels, achieving high scores or winning matches together can forge deep friendships and connections between players.
Safe social spaces: For many, online games offer a safe space to interact with others, especially for those who find it challenging to socialise in real life. These virtual environments provide an inclusive space where players can express themselves, meet people with similar ideas and build friendships in a support community.
Cultural exchange: Playing with people from different parts of the world facilitates cultural exchange and understanding. Players often share their cultural backgrounds, traditions and experiences, enriching the social fabric of the gaming community and fostering global friendships.
Exploring different cultures through games
Online games act as portals to different cultures, allowing players to explore and experience the richness of global diversity. These are some of the ways in which games allow cultural exploration:
Cultural scenarios and themes: Many games are set in rich cultural environments, offering players a vision of different worlds. Games like “Ghost of Tsushima” immerse players in in feudal Japan, while “Assassin’s Creed Origins” explores ancient Egypt. These scenarios are meticulously elaborated and provide a narrative and visual experience which transports players to different cultures.
Interactive narration: History-based games often include cultural elements in their narratives, providing players with a deeper understanding of different societies. “Never Alone” (Kisima Ingitchuna), developed in collaboration with the Iñupiat people, tells a story inspired by the folklore native to Alaska, providing an authentic cultural experience.
Festivals and traditions: Games often incorporate cultural festivals and traditions in their gameplay: For example, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” presents events based on festivities from different cultures in the real world, allowing players to participate in and learn about these celebrations.
Cultural symbols and artefacts: Often, games include cultural artefacts, symbols and motives which players can collect and use or those with which they can interact. These elements enrich the gaming experience and provide educational information about different cultures. For example, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” incorporates various symbols and artefacts inspired by Japanese Shinto culture.
Educational games: Some games are specifically designed to educate players about different cultures. Titles like “Journey” and “Never Alone” (Kisima Ingitchuna) are recognised for their cultural authenticity and educational value, providing an interactive way of learning and appreciating different cultures.
Virtual visits and museums: Some games and virtual reality experiences offer virtual visits of cultural places of interests and museums. The ‘Google Earth VR’ and ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins Discovery Tour’ modes allow players to explore historical sites and discover their cultural relevance from the comfort of their own homes.
Conclusion
Online games are much more than entertainment: they are powerful tools for education, socialisation and cultural exchange. By teaching about cultural awareness, facilitating friendships and offering opportunities to explore different cultures, games can significantly improve our understanding and appreciation of the world around us. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, its potential to contribute positively to global cultural awareness and social connections will continue to grow, becoming an increasingly valuable element of modern life.
Parents and educators can take advantage of these benefits by choosing culturally enriching and socially attractive games for children. In this way, they not only provide a fun and interactive learning experience, but also prepare the younger generation for a more interconnected and culturally diverse world. Therefore, next time you grab a controller or sign in to a game, remember that you’re not just playing; you’re also learning, connecting and exploring the rich tapestry of human culture.
