From play to power: china’s video games as instruments of soft power

This paper investigates the burgeoning role of video games as a strategic instrument of soft power, with a particular focus on China's utilization of the gaming industry to extend its cultural and political influence on a global scale. Through a comprehensive analysis of Chinese gaming giant Tencent, the study reveals how these companies embed Chinese cultural elements and narratives within their games, effectively turning them into vehicles for cultural exchange and soft power projection. The paper categorizes video games as an emerging source of soft power by examining the strategies of Chinese video games and their impact on global gaming trends. It further explores the symbiotic relationship between these gaming strategies and China's broader soft power objectives under the Digital Silk Road initiative, illustrating how digital entertainment mediums can contribute to the country's international diplomacy efforts.