Transmitting and preserving cultural knowledge through open-world role-playing games

This paper maps out the theories informing my PhD research into open-world role-playing games(OW-RPGs) as tools for individual learning and transmission of cultural knowledge. Three hypotheses and the methods used to explore them are outlined. 1.OW-RPGs are particularly well suited for cultural learning due to their complexity. 2. OW-RPGs foster deep player engagement outside of play. 3. An OW-RPG would be effective in transmitting Australian Aboriginal culture. To better illustrate this in a European context, the paper also examines the use of RPGs for Polish-Lithuanian cultural heritage.