Gaming offers more than just gameplay; it can provide a cultural experience. Video games and other games have evolved beyond mere entertainment. They now act as windows into various cultures and histories, giving players access to traditions, myths, and daily life in ways that textbooks cannot. In this article, we'll explore popular games that serve as cultural ambassadors, offering an engaging way for players to gain insight into societal nuances and artistic influences from different regions.
Table of Contents
Popular Games
The Origins of Mahjong
Mahjong is an intriguing ancient Chinese game with roots dating back to its development during the Qing Dynasty in the mid-19th century. Today, it remains an enjoyable form of social bonding among friends and family.
Originally played with cards before transitioning into its current tile format, Mahjong represents much more than mere gameplay. Its cultural relevance extends far beyond; it represents centuries of customary Chinese customs and philosophy.
Cultural Significance
At its core, Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation. Players aim to assemble sets or melds from a collection of tiles. But more than simply being competitive in nature, Mahjong fosters communication and cooperation as it embodies values ingrained into Chinese culture, such as community and family ties.
When players engage with this particular form of entertainment, they also partake in its accompanying social rituals. These rituals strengthen bonds among players through shared experiences or celebrations of wins or losses.
Mahjong Around the World
Though Mahjong originated in China, its influence has spread worldwide. Different countries have adopted variations and rules specific to them based on cultural influences from their societies.
Japan, for instance, has adopted Riichi Mahjong, while Western adaptations often simplify the rules to make gameplay more accessible to their populations. Mahjong is a compelling cultural bridge that connects disparate populations through gameplay while honoring its heritage.
Poker
Poker is a classic card game that has delighted millions of players worldwide for over 200 years. It captivates players with its combination of strategy, psychology, and chance. Poker began in America in the early 19th century and gained worldwide popularity by the 1840s. Over time, several variants have emerged, including Texas Hold 'em and Omaha.
Betting often plays a part in these versions, too; players usually bet or wager to have the best hand at a showdown or persuade opponents to fold. Poker's competitive nature has birthed numerous tournaments, such as the World Series of Poker, to showcase these talents from around the globe.
Bridge
Bridge is a four-player trick-taking card game played in partnerships. Widely considered one of the most intellectually challenging card games, bridge focuses on communication and strategic thinking. Players use knowledge of probability and tactics to outwit their opponents while adhering to complex bidding rules.
Since its origins in England during the 19th century, bridge has grown incredibly popular worldwide. It is played at clubs and tournaments, making this pastime beloved among enthusiasts.
Rummy
Rummy is a family of card games characterized by matching cards of the same rank or sequence into sets or runs. There are various variations, such as gin rummy and Indian rummy, to make rummy an accessible game that appeals to a broad demographic.
Rummy is a card game that originated in early 20th-century China and Mexico. Its simple rules make it ideal for casual play with friends or family. The engaging gameplay encourages strategic thinking, as players must decide which cards to hold or discard to form sets and complete melds quickly.
Journey: Discovering the Mystique of the Desert
"Journey" invites players to navigate a vast desert landscape with ancient ruins and mysterious structures. The game's gorgeous visuals and minimalist gameplay create an experience evoking Middle Eastern art and architecture. At the same time, players navigate sandy dunes, encountering environmental storytelling elements evoking culture's connection to the desert's vastness and mysteries while emphasizing themes of companionship and discovery, creating an emotional narrative deeply rooted in its cultural essence of origin.
Okami: Brush With Japanese Folklore
"Okami" is an engaging exploration of Japanese folklore, drawing heavily upon Shinto mythology. Players assume the role of Amaterasu, the sun goddess, as she travels across ancient Japan in an immersive world inspired by traditional Japanese art forms.
Players use celestial brushes to interact with their environment and restore life to the cursed land. This unique blend of storytelling, cultural references, and artistic elements immerses players into Japan's mythical narratives while exploring themes such as nature renewal and life cycles.
Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna): Exploring Alaska Native Culture
"Never Alone" offers an extraordinary immersion into the Inupiat culture of Alaska. Players guide a young girl named Nuna through a visually captivating snow-laden landscape while encountering traditional Inupiat tales and teachings.
As Nuna navigates with her companion, an arctic fox named Frostie, she encounters "insight" videos that deepen her understanding by providing insight into the customs and beliefs of these Indigenous people. This culturally immersive approach entertains and educates players about respecting nature and maintaining cultural identities through storytelling.
Assassins Creed: Origins
Set in ancient Egypt, "Assassin's Creed: Origins" allows players to take control of Bayek as they navigate its turbulent history and tangible landscapes. Boasting rich historical contexts throughout, players experience everything from its majestic pyramids, mysterious Nile currents, intricate society dynamics, and the daily lives of ancient Egyptians through quests that provide an engaging historical education while making for engaging gameplay for history lovers and casual gamers alike.
Spiritfarer: An Emotional Journey into the Afterlife
Spiritfarer, while not explicitly targeted towards any culture, offers a heartwarming narrative that explores different beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife from diverse cultural viewpoints. Players take on the role of Stella, who acts as Spiritfarer tasked with leading spirits towards their afterlives based on culturally specific traditions, customs, or stories embodied within each spirit's body.
This gives players insight into various backgrounds, customs, and stories from multiple civilizations. The narrative invites players to contemplate life values while remembering memories or community involvement across civilizations.
God of War: Exploring Norse Mythology
"God of War" invites players into the vast and varied world of Norse mythology through Kratos and Atreus' eyes, exploring through exploration gameplay mixed with deep mythological themes featuring iconic gods and creatures from Norse mythology.
Players travel across gorgeously designed realms while uncovering the ethics, legends, and cultural figures that define Norse mythology. They also follow an unfolding tale about fatherhood, legacy, and moving beyond past struggles. This immersive journey through Norse mythology will keep players entertained while they learn more than they ever imagined about what lies within its pages.
Conclusion
This blog post has revealed that video games serve more than mere entertainment. They also serve as cultural bridges, connecting players to different societies' histories, traditions, and values. Games such as Journey, Okami, and Never Alone promote understanding and appreciation for other cultures while enriching gaming experiences in unique ways.
These games remind us of the power of storytelling and play, showing that exploring another culture can be equally enjoyable and educational. Card and tile games like poker and Mahjong have long been known to unite people, and modern video games continue this tradition in their own ways.
So next time you pick up a controller or sit at your computer to play games, remember that you are embarking on an experience that explores culture beyond mere entertainment.
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This story is published in partnership with 24/7 Games LLC.
