Cultural Appropriation and Structuralist Semiotic Through Game Narrative in Southeast Asia

Abstract

This study examines cultural appropriation and its relationship to structural semiotics within game narratives in Southeast Asia. The regional gaming industry is expanding, leading to a rising number of video games that integrate elements from Southeast Asian cultures, including folklore, traditions, visual themes, and mythological symbols, into their narratives. The adoption of cultural features without contextual comprehension or ethical
awareness can lead to misrepresentation and the loss of cultural authenticity. Grounded in a structuralist semiotic framework, this research explores how meaning is constructed and potentially distorted when cultural signifiers are detached from their original signified concepts within local semiotic systems. The study employs a qualitative methodology to examine cultural appropriation in game design by analysing Southeast Asian games. To achieve this, qualitative content analysis is utilised to scrutinise gaming narratives, alongside a comprehensive examination of the visual and narrative components in Kabaret
(2022), Pamali (2018), and Skull and Bones (2024). The results are analysed using structural semiotics to reveal trends in cultural representation and appropriation. This method facilitates the recognition of ethical and semiotic ramifications in the representation of culture in digital games. Ultimately, the study contributes to the discourse on ethical game development by providing a culturally grounded framework for assessing authenticity and sensitivity in narrative design. It emphasizes the need for developers to engage with cultural elements responsibly, ensuring that game narratives reflect and respect Southeast Asia's cultural richness.