Propagaming : Uncovering Propaganda In War Videogames

This thesis deals with the issue of propaganda in contemporary war themed videogames. Considering the current geopolitical situation on one hand, and the pervasiveness and widespread use of the videogame medium in general, and war videogames in particular, together with the collaboration between the military and the videogame industry, part of the wider military-entertainment complex, on the other hand, it cannot be excluded that military propaganda might be present in such digital media. This study explores through which persuasive techniques is propaganda manifest in war-themed videogames. The answer is achieved using theories of rhetoric and persuasiveness in videogames and by conducting a textual game analysis of 10 different war-themed videogames. A great number of persuasive techniques at work were found within the videogames, each of them working based on certain principles identified by previous literature. Through a limited set of options, players are exposed to the normalization of morally questionable acts such as civilian shooting and torture of enemy prisoners. The war videogames in question are not neutral in their playworld, mechanics, and playformance, and heavy and widespread use of propaganda can be found within them