Traveling through Video Games

This book explores how video game design increasingly takes cues from the promotional language of tourism, raising issues of power and commodification. It offers a comprehensive account of touristic gazing in games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Minecraft, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, discussing the scale of game worlds, the elusive nature of freedom and control, and the pivotal role of work in creating a sense of belonging.

Format: Hardback
Length: 110 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the realm of video games as virtual journeys, unveiling a profound understanding of their role as immersive experiences. It explores how the art of video game design has increasingly borrowed cues from the promotional language of tourism, raising intriguing questions about power dynamics and commodification. By bridging the gap between game and tourism studies, the book provides a comprehensive exploration of touristic gazing within various games, including "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," "Minecraft," and "Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020."

Traveling through these digital landscapes offers a mythological promise of open-ended opportunity, encapsulated in the slogan "you can go there." Van Nuenen delves into the scale of game worlds, the elusive nature of freedom and control, and the critical role of work in fostering a sense of belonging. He challenges the fundamental consumptive logic of tourism by highlighting how design choices can invite players to approach their travels with a more critical eye. This distinction lies in the active engagement of players versus being passively moved by the game world.

This interdisciplinary and innovative study appeals to students and scholars engaged in digital media studies, game studies, tourism and technology, as well as the Digital Humanities. It sheds light on the evolving relationship between gaming and tourism, offering valuable insights into the complex interplay between technology, culture, and the human experience. By unraveling the nuances of touristic gazing in video games, this book contributes to our understanding of the evolving landscape of entertainment and the ways in which it shapes our perceptions and interactions with the world.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 144 x 222 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032519487