Politics in Video Games: A Socio-Cognitive Analysis of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Battlefield 3

Abstract This study explores the portrayal of political ideologies in popular video games, which are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Battlefield 3. As games often contain real-world references, meanings, and themes, they have the potential to convey ideological and political messages to players and shape their perspectives on political issues. Using a qualitative research methodology, the study examines the language, with visual and auditory elements, present in the cutscenes and during the gameplay of these games. The analysis employs van Dijk’s socio-cognitive approach (2000, 2006) to decipher the games’ embedded ideological messages. The findings indicate that game developers perpetuate the hegemonic ideology of US military power. The developers also portray Arabs as the main source of terrorism and reinforce negative stereotypes of Iran and Russia.