Discussion 11: Culture and RPGs
Read Section 6.6 “Culture in RPGs and Communities” in “Chapter 6: Key Concepts, Techniques, and Purposes for Transformative Role-playing Game Design” in Transformative Role-playing Game Design.
Watch Alexandra Schreiber’s “Games and Play for Intercultural Learning” (10 min).
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Then, answer the following questions:
- Have you experienced or designed games for intercultural learning or exploring different worldviews/perceptions?
- If so, please describe.
- It not, imagine what a design for these purposes might look like from your perspective.
- Review the concept of identity defense discussed in the Education Unit, in which learning does not occur due to a person’s identity protecting itself.
- Have you experienced or witnessed this reaction to content in a game? If so, be specific.
- Why do you think people might have a resistance to transforming their perspective or worldview, both generally and in games?
- Consider a practice within a culture or subculture to which you belong. Provide a design sketch of a short role-playing game based on this cultural practice. How would the characters engage with this practice or discuss it? In what social context? Be specific.
Finally, respond to at least two (2) of your peers in Ask a Question, Answer a Question format.