Cultural Appropriation through Game Narrative in Malaysia

This research examines cultural appropriation in game narratives within Malaysian context, aiming on how cultural elements are represented and interpreted in game design. Game narratives are essential for keeping game players engaged and enhancing the overall gaming experience. It includes the conversation, cutscenes, environmental storytelling, player choices, and cultural representation of the characters, setting, conflicts, and themes that are conveyed to the player through a variety of storytelling tactics. However, engaging cultural elements in games without knowing about cultural appropriation or the right context can lead to misrepresentation and ethical issues. Despite the growing Malaysian game development industry in the current years, limited research has been explored on how cultural appropriation is addressed by local game designers and players, highlighting a gap in both scholarly discussion and practical design frameworks. The aim of this research is to develop a conceptual framework for understanding cultural appropriation in game narratives by examining how Malaysian game designers perceive and implement cultural representation in their work. A qualitative research approach is employed, using qualitative content analysis of selected game narratives to examine how players interpret and experience cultural representation within games. These methods facilitate a comprehensive examination of design intentions, interpretative practices, and ethical considerations in the utilization of cultural elements. The study is expected to provide critical insights into the forms and implications of cultural appropriation in Malaysian game narratives and to propose a framework that supports culturally sensitive and responsible game design. The findings will contribute to the fields of game studies and cultural representation by offering guidance for developers, researchers, and creative practitioners in promoting respectful and authentic portrayals of Malaysia’s diverse cultural heritage.