The Function of Cultural and Media Diplomacy in Providing a Favorable Iran image with the Focus on Iranian Video Games

Salimian, Zahra; Esmaili Taba, Seyyed Morteza

doi:10.22034/cdrj.2024.490114.1029

The Function of Cultural and Media Diplomacy in Providing a Favorable Iran image with the Focus on Iranian Video Games

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zahra Salimian ¹

Seyyed Morteza Esmaili Taba ²

¹ PhD student, Media Management, Faculty of Media and Communications, University of Religions and Denominations, (Responsible author), Qom, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Media Management, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

10.22034/cdrj.2024.490114.1029

Abstract

Video games as a growing media in the world and the deep and realistic impact of gamers are a suitable platform for introducing the culture and showing the country image and can be used to influence public opinion, which is the main goal of cultural diplomacy. The purpose of this research is to investigate the video games’ role on influencing public opinion and presenting a favorable image of the country; And it seeks to answer the question, Iranian video games have shown a proper image of the country? This article uses Gonzalo Frasca's ideas on representation in video game analysis, Joseph Nye's theory of soft power, and Ballmer's words regarding the country imagery. Also, with the purposeful sampling method, the Iranian game "Faryad Azadi: Tangistan" has been selected and analyzed with the semiotics technique according to Philip Tag's analytical model. The results of the research show that this game, , in terms of narration, time, locality, characters, objects, music and designing, is appropriate to the culture and history of the country and can provide a favorable image of the history and culture of the country as well as

Keywords

Media Diplomacy

Country Image

Video Games

Cultural Diplomacy