Online games and culture have interchangeably played a role in shaping each other and influencing many communities worldwide. From card games to dice games, gameplay has been integral to every culture. An overwhelming consensus has emerged among gamers: these immersive virtual experiences have not only shaped their own identities but have also become conduits of cultural exchange, forging unprecedented connections across borders
In a recent interview conducted among a diverse group of gamers, an overwhelming majority expressed that their involvement in online games has significantly broadened their horizons, exposing them to a multitude of cultures that would have otherwise remained beyond their reach. Through vibrant virtual worlds and interactions with players from all corners of the globe, gamers have journeyed beyond their own borders, gaining invaluable insights into the customs, traditions, and ways of life that make each culture unique.
Games like Pente Grammai and Pentelitha have existed for centuries and dominated the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Snakes and Ladders, a game that has become a childhood favorite, was invented in ancient India as Moksha Patam. Since then, gameplay in various forms has entered many cultures, influenced them, and has also been shaped to fit certain cultures.
How are online games influencing culture?
Cultural themes have always been interwoven into online games. These online games could reflect contemporary social issues, historical events, and more. For instance, games like Prince of Persia and Assasin’s Creed incorporate historical settings. This real-world connection can foster cultural discussions among players. They could also encourage players to develop an interest in subjects like ancient or war history, art, archeology, and more.
“Prince of Persia is one of the main reasons for me to look up Iranian history. This unlocked my interest in other civilizations as well, prompting me to read extensively on Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Roman history”, says Arjun Raghuram, a 19-year-old gamer.
Online games, particularly card games, have different cultural origins. For instance, Mahjong originated in China and Poker is famous in the USA. The cultural context of these individual card games has influenced their designs and aesthetics. Call Break game, similar to poker, has a distinct Indian cultural flavor, as it bears a resemblance to games such as Teen Patti.
Card games have also been an integral part of every family gathering and function. Every culture has a specific card game associated with its own traditions. These card games, even after being mechanized can still serve as cultural touchstones and help reinforce social connections.
Online games have also brought in new forms of art- digital art, chiptune, pixel art, glitch art, and more. Art students do not just carry paint supplies and a palette anymore. Online gaming has fostered art students to venture into digital art and animation.
The theater is also a noteworthy phenomenon that online games have influenced. By inducing gamers to take part in role-playing games, cosplay, and more, character impersonation has become another form of art and academic subject.
Online games have also helped form vibrant communities where players from different backgrounds can connect and collaborate. By forging new social norms and sharing cultured conversations gamers have created subcultures within their community.
“I started gaming when I was in class 8. I am 26 now and have made many friends online through games”, says Avinash Gondhkar. “I always have a community online that makes me feel right at home,” he added.
Virtual gaming has helped bring people together from different parts of the world. By showing us that we have more in common than we deem, online games have helped us relate to different activities and events. This has enabled us to leave behind all cultural differences and interact.
These games have also set the stage for a diverse player base. They have allowed greater representation within the community. In fact, online games have removed the taboo that surrounds female or LGBTQ+ characters. Cultural movements advocating for more inclusivity and diversity were also pioneered. The push for more diverse characters and storylines has come in.
The advent of technology began with gaming. Experiments on Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and more were widely done on games first. Now, these technological advancements have branched out culturally and aid in other sectors like education, medicine, and so on.
How has gaming evolved with culture?
Gaming on electronics began a decade after computers were created. In the 1950s the simple game of Tic-Tac-Toe came about.
In the 1970s, arcade games took over the game scape. Arcade games and culture have a strong reciprocal relationship across history. Arcade games pioneered in introducing games as a source of pastime. Arcade games shaped gaming culture by mainstreaming games. It also provided a social environment for people to gather and interact.
Furthermore, arcade games have also impacted popular culture (pop culture). They have been featured in Hollywood movies like Tron and Pixels. They have also infiltrated songs and music like the song Space Invaders.
The 1980s came with home consoles that allowed players to play from the comfort of their homes. This brought in the ear of multi-player games. And in the 1990s, when online games became popular, the multiplayer feature revolutionized the gamescape hugely. These games have also pushed the boundaries of what technology could achieve by bringing novel ways to enjoy gaming.
What does the future hold?
Online games can employ millions of people across the world, bringing together many different cultures together. These games can also provide job opportunities to individuals from developing countries. This will result in the cultural integration of many people.
As more real-time features like voice and video calls, virtual reality, 3D technology, and more come into play, the geographical boundaries will blur. This will result in more culture-to-culture integration and collaboration.
Online games have the potential to drive awareness for societal issues like the environment, mental health, social justice, etc. This can spark conversations online and help create a massive social impact.
But these advancements and capabilities will also be coupled with numerous challenges. Online gaming is a double-edged sword that needs to be navigated with caution. Excessive gaming can cause players to get addicted, and anti-social and also cause them to have vision and mental health problems. Violent games are also more likely to trigger violent responses from young children who engage in such games constantly. So, it is vital to monitor children and adolescents when they venture into the world of online gaming.
Last words
Online gaming has become more accessible and the future still holds more wonders. Online games and culture can create a rich tapestry of creativity and shared experiences when harnessed well. The current cultural awareness and exchange we are witnessing are likely to increase to a greater extent. As gaming becomes more immersive and experiential, the possibilities it brings with it also widen.
Read more: Get Ready for a Game-Changing Experience: Cricket 24 Launches on 5 October 2023!
