I videogiochi come spazi (e tempi) di negoziazione politici per le nuove generazioni = Video Games as Spatial and Temporal Arenas of Political Negotiation for Younger Generations

Abstract

The article examines how video games and their surrounding media ecosystems are becoming key times and spaces of political negotiation for younger generations. Drawing on work on narrative seriality, game studies, and political communication, it proposes three forms of videogame seriality – structural, operational, and textual – and shows how they shape emotions, expectations, and forms of belonging. Through a qualitative analysis of U.S. (Obama, Biden–Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) and Italian (Conte, Decaro) case studies, the paper explores how campaigns, advergames, and livestreams plug into serialized ludic worlds, exploiting their rhythms, community rituals, and logics of return. It argues that these are not mere marketing gimmicks but attempts to intervene in an already politicized field in which seriality helps configure young citizens' political imaginaries and modes of participation.