Computer Games as Meaning Creating Rituals

Ulf Palmenfelt

Abstract

This paper argues that playing computer games can be compared to traditional fairy tale telling situations. Both fairy tales and computer games offer playful arenas for testing the limits of the physical reality, of social and cultural norms, and of moral values. The purpose of the research project described in the paper will be to collect material for a discussion about the cultural consequences of moral and ethical values being communicated in the ritual arenas of computer games.