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Political Campaigning Games : Digital Campaigning With Computer Games in European National Elections

Bossetta, Michael LU (2019) In International Journal of Communication 13. p.3422-3443
Abstract
This study examines how politically themed computer games function as digital campaigning tools during elections. To make sense of this understudied phenomenon, the concept of political campaigning games (PCGs) is introduced and defined as advergames that promote a partisan political position in an electoral context. The study bridges theoretical literatures from game studies, media studies, and political communication to mount the argument that PCGs convey a persuasive political message through the rhetorical devices deployed in political cartoons as well as computer games. Methodologically, I develop a framework for rhetorical game analysis and apply it to 4 games from ... (More)
This study examines how politically themed computer games function as digital campaigning tools during elections. To make sense of this understudied phenomenon, the concept of political campaigning games (PCGs) is introduced and defined as advergames that promote a partisan political position in an electoral context. The study bridges theoretical literatures from game studies, media studies, and political communication to mount the argument that PCGs convey a persuasive political message through the rhetorical devices deployed in political cartoons as well as computer games. Methodologically, I develop a framework for rhetorical game analysis and apply it to 4 games from European national elections. The analysis expounds the games’ strategic political messages as well as how they are rhetorically argued through game mechanics. The findings reveal that PCGs exemplify changing dynamics in digital campaigning, reify the enduring effectiveness of conflict framing, and codify how games can be designed to enact political rhetoric. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
political communication, media studies, rhetorical game analysis, social media, virality, video games
in
International Journal of Communication
volume
13
pages
3422 - 3443
publisher
USC Annenberg Press
ISSN
1932-8036
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
70002b34-90f8-46cf-a81f-f01350377320
alternative location
https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/10477
date added to LUP
2020-10-15 23:10:44
date last changed
2020-10-21 13:51:44
@article{70002b34-90f8-46cf-a81f-f01350377320,
  abstract     = {{This  study  examines  how  politically  themed  computer  games  function  as  digital campaigning tools during elections. To make sense of this understudied phenomenon, the concept of political campaigning games (PCGs) is introduced and defined as advergames that  promote  a  partisan  political  position  in  an  electoral  context.  The  study  bridges theoretical literatures from game studies, media studies, and political communication to mount  the  argument  that  PCGs  convey  a  persuasive  political  message  through  the rhetorical   devices   deployed   in   political   cartoons   as   well   as   computer   games. Methodologically,  I  develop  a  framework  for  rhetorical  game  analysis  and  apply  it  to  4 games  from  European  national  elections.  The  analysis  expounds  the  games’  strategic political messages as well as how they are rhetorically argued through game mechanics. The findings reveal that PCGs exemplify changing dynamics in digital campaigning, reify the enduring effectiveness of conflict framing, and codify how games can be designed to enact political rhetoric.}},
  author       = {{Bossetta, Michael}},
  issn         = {{1932-8036}},
  keywords     = {{political communication; media studies; rhetorical game analysis; social media; virality; video games}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{3422--3443}},
  publisher    = {{USC Annenberg Press}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Communication}},
  title        = {{Political Campaigning Games : Digital Campaigning With Computer Games in European National Elections}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/85420672/Political_Campaigning_Games_Digital_Campaigning_with_Computer_Games_in_European_National_Elections_Bossetta_2019_.pdf}},
  volume       = {{13}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}