Mapping Spaces of Resistance in Videogames

This project is about spatial claims. From a decolonial point of view, how can we lay spatial claims over the space of video games? As the physical space, the cyber realm is a technological overlay of space in which power struggles, capitalists and neoliberal agendas are in play. Therefore, in this thesis, I lay out case studies in which people make spatial claims through the gamespace. I am concerned with two performances of democracy: One is participation, and the other is protest. Both are essential facets of civic engagement and have carved a significant space in game studies over the past decade. Following a grounded theory logic, this research comprises three cycles of synthesis that embrace three claims: a spatial claim, a digital claim, and a claim over code.
The first cycle (spatial claim) aims to outline design principles of public space that facilitate contemporary protest and offer spatial resources through spatial exercises for protesters to strengthen their spatial literacy. The second cycle (digital claim) investigate playful tactics employed by protesters in public spaces or players in participatory workshops to disturb institutional control over our physical and virtual spaces. The third cycle (claim over code) starts with the argument that a spatiality that is not understood at the point of code and algorithm will not be open to our resistance. Therefore, it is important to have a hold over code to have true resistance and democratic participation and engagement in making the gamespace.
The outcome of this project is a video game titled Return to Sender. This research-creation project is about disruption. It brings one of the protesters' innovative spatial tactics: the use of a tennis racket to throw tear gas away. Not only does it disrupt the materiality of the racket, but it also disrupts the policing order who does not anticipate such resistance. I employed reflexive positionality in which I recognized myself as part of the research. I define four segments that have affected my research-creation process: the choice of the game narrative, the influence of the game engine, the position of the camera, and the performance of the crowd in the gamespace.
Ultimately, this thesis aims to reposition the role video games play in society from entertainment or a social phenomenon to involve a responsibility in social struggle and social movements.