A Serious Game Approach to Chinese Media Law

The Censorship Game is a tabletop role-playing game developed for the first edition of the summer school “Variations on How to Play” in July 2023 at the University for Continuing Education Krems. Designed to simulate the multifaceted challenges faced by independent filmmakers in China, the game employs role-playing as an educational tool in a classroom setting. Through structured game mechanics, players navigate step by step through the political and bureaucratic intricacies of the Chinese filmmaking landscape, experiencing firsthand what it is like to navigate the world of media control. The game incorporates strategic planning and elements of randomness to mirror the diverse scenarios encountered by real-world filmmakers, reflecting the deeply embedded nature of censorship in the daily lives of Chinese citizens. As the first attempt to design such a game in the field of Chinese media law, it still has areas that require further refinement. This paper details the author’s thought process in creating the game and aims to contribute to the discussion on how serious games can be used to teach complex topics.

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DAC - DIGITAL JOURNAL FOR ARTS & CULTURAL STUDIES

DAC - DIGITALES JOURNAL FÜR KUNST- & KULTURWISSENSCHAFTEN

Variations on how to play

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