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The Multidimensional Spectrum of Abstraction, Realism and Cultural Meaning in Serious Games

Kalantar Hormozi, Yekta, Risley, Kristina and Xu, Liang orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-2619-1883 (2026) The Multidimensional Spectrum of Abstraction, Realism and Cultural Meaning in Serious Games. In: The 17th Annual Digital Games Research Association Conference (DiGRA 2026), June 14 - 18, 2026, Maynooth, Ireland.

Abstract
This paper extends an established framework for analysing abstraction and realism in serious games by introducing a seventh dimension that accounts for how cultural meaning is constructed, represented and interpreted within game environments. While the existing model describes the pedagogical implications of fidelity across visuals, audio, mechanics and interface, rules, narrative and feedback, it provides limited guidance for understanding how domain-specific values, practices and material cultures are encoded into playable experiences. To address this gap, the proposed Domain Culture System draws on anthropological theory and intercultural game studies to articulate how cultural ideology, practice and material can be conveyed at varying levels of abstraction and realism. The resulting multidimensional spectrum provides designers and researchers with a structured way to examine how cultural logics shape player interpretation, engagement and learning, alongside other factors that influence the realism of serious games.
Metadata
Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Event Type:Conference
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Serious games, abstraction and realism, culture, game design
Subjects:Computer Science > Computer software
Computer Science > Interactive computer systems
Humanities > Culture
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Engineering and Computing
DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Engineering and Computing > School of Computing
Published in: Proceedings of the 17th Annual Digital Games Research Association Conference. . Authors & Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA).
Publisher:Authors & Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA)
Official URL:https://www.digraconference2026.com/
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:33282
Deposited On:31 Aug 2026 12:48 by Liang Xu . Last Modified 31 Aug 2026 12:48
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