Digital Game Narratives as Living Culture: Never Alone

This study explores the representation of Iñupiat culture in the digital game Never Alone, released in 2014, by considering the culture of the Iñupiat people living in Alaska. It also aims to examine the effects of Never Alone on the preservation and transmission of Iñupiat culture. It can be argued that technology can play an important role in the reinvention of culture and traditions. In this respect, the study analyzes the game Never Alone in a descriptive way to reveal how Iñupiat culture is processed in the digital environment and how its cultural elements come together with the digital game experi-ence. In particular, it examines how Iñupiat culture is integrated into the game’s narrative and inter-face design. In this context, the study aims to contribute not only to folklore and digital game re-search but also to the academic debate on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The hy-pothesis of the study is that Never Alone is a successful example of exploring traditional narratives in interactive digital environments. Based on this hypothesis, the role of the game in the rediscovery and transmission of endangered cultures is discussed. It also considers the applicability of similar methods in the transmission of other endangered cultures, such as the Iñupiat community, into the future. The main argument of the study is the necessity of using technology as an effective tool in the reproduction and transmission of cultural heritage. At a time when traditional practices are being eroded in the age of high technology, innovative methods are needed to safeguard intangible cultural heritage. Digital games, especially with their immersive storytelling and interactive nature, can offer a new perspective for these efforts. Never Alone is a prominent example in this context, successfully reflecting the fusion of technology and culture as a game in which indigenous people played an active role in the development process. This collaboration with the Iñupiat community during the develop-ment process enhanced the game’s authenticity and cultural richness. The findings of the analysis reveal that Never Alone goes beyond being an entertainment tool and plays an active role in preserv-ing cultural heritage. The results also show that the game, rooted in Iñupiat culture, has become a dynamic repository of traditional knowledge. The game’s potential to preserve cultural heritage is supported by the fact that it reaches millions of players. This success supports the argument that digital games are powerful tools for the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage. This global success of Never Alone positions digital games as global cultural ambassadors. This reinforc-es the idea that digital games are an effective channel for cross-cultural interaction. Furthermore, the fact that the game offers the opportunity to correct misrepresentations and accurately portray Iñupiat culture emphasizes the importance of digital games in cultural representation. The game’s effects not only impacted the Iñupiat community, but also opened up a global discussion on the potential of digital games to contribute to cultural heritage preservation. The findings highlight the need for fur-ther studies to investigate the effects of similar game experiences that support different local cultures. Furthermore, investigating the effects of collaborative game development processes that strengthen cultural communities and examining the educational effectiveness of digital games could be potential topics for future research.