Hong Kong in Video Games: Cultural Representation in the Ludic Space
摘要
Due to its cinematic history, colonial legacy, rapid modernization, unique visual culture, and east-meets-west architectural features, Hong Kong has frequently been set as the backdrop in many video games. As a widely enjoyed form of entertainment and leisure activity among young people worldwide, the representation of cultural and historical elements within these video games greatly influences players’ perception of Hong Kong. This chapter provides an overview of Hong Kong’s portrayal in video games, highlighting the characteristics of such virtual imagery and examining how they may or may not accurately reflect Hong Kong’s culture and history to players globally. An observation of popular video games reveals that Hong Kong is predominantly depicted in the 1980s and 1990s, attributing to the significance of these decades marked by rapid economic growth and cultural shifts. These depictions often focus on the most symbolic visual elements of Hong Kong while lacking historical accuracy, leading to cultural misrepresentation, misconception, and misunderstandings. However, the stimulating effects of video games especially to the younger generations are prominent, emphasizing the need for an accurate representation of Hong Kong’s culture and history within this art form.