Gameworlds and worldbuilding in dystopian video games

Abstract

This thesis explores gameworlds and the worldbuilding process in dystopian video games. Dystopian fiction, from its premises, creates another world to support a reflection on realworld events or societies. In dystopian video game worlds, we argue that the worldbuilding process relies on the medium visual and interactive aspects. Visuals and interactivity contribute to the world's believability while transmitting a range of information through different means. The visual world relies on signs and patterns to convey meaning, while the interactive world relies on player affordances. Through these elements, the game can reflect themes, ideas, cultural, and social elements tied to dystopian fiction and dystopian societies while creating a reflection around them and offering the players to reflect on them. Plus, the interactive possibilities of video games also provide new ways to explore dystopian fiction by allowing the player to navigate, interact with, and alter a dystopian world in significant ways.