Migrating Through the Web: Interactive Practices About Migration, Flight and Exile

Nicole Braida explores the discursive and material structures of serious games, text-adventures, newsgames, interactive maps, and data visualizations that focus on refugees and migrants, aiming to evoke empathy and highlight the migratory crisis as a symptom of a deeper humanitarian system crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Transcript Verlag

Nicole Braida delves into the intricate discursive and material frameworks of serious games, text-adventures, newsgames, interactive maps, and data visualizations, where refugees and migrants emerge as the focal point of humanitarian discourse. While the primary objective is to foster empathy towards these individuals, these interactive practices also play a crucial role in identifying who is vulnerable and who is not. This exploration supports the notion of a migratory crisis, which, according to the author, is merely a symptom of a more profound crisis within the humanitarian system itself.

Braida's research uncovers the complex interplay between language, power, and representation in these media objects. She examines how narratives, visualizations, and interactive elements shape the way refugees and migrants are perceived and understood by the broader public. By analyzing the discursive and material structures of these games, Braida sheds light on the ways in which they contribute to the construction of stereotypes, biases, and misconceptions about migration.

Furthermore, Braida explores the ethical implications of these interactive practices. She questions whether it is appropriate to use games and other media forms to raise awareness about humanitarian issues, particularly when they involve vulnerable populations. She also examines the potential for these practices to perpetuate harmful narratives and reinforce existing power structures.

Through her comprehensive analysis, Braida offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of media objects that blend fiction and non-fiction elements. She highlights the need for media creators and designers to be mindful of the impact their work can have on public perception and to strive for more inclusive and accurate representations of diverse populations.

In conclusion, Nicole Braida's research provides a critical examination of the role of media in shaping humanitarian discourse and the experiences of refugees and migrants. By exploring the discursive and material structures of serious games, text-adventures, newsgames, interactive maps, and data visualizations, she sheds light on the ways in which these media objects contribute to the construction of stereotypes, biases, and misconceptions about migration. Braida's work highlights the ethical implications of these practices and calls for media creators and designers to be more mindful of the impact their work can have on vulnerable populations.

Dimension: 225 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783837660395