The cultural meaning of rules, and the art of adapting them without losing their essence
Every Game Is a Language
Every game is a language.
It has its own alphabet made of rules, symbols, gestures.
It has a grammar built from turns, roles, allowed or forbidden actions.
And like every language, it reflects a culture.
When we bring a game from one context to another, we’re not just changing the language.
We’re translating values.
We’re adapting worldviews.
We’re deciding what to preserve and what to adjust—so that the game works, but also
resonates with those who play it.
Translating a game is not just about making it understandable.
It’s about making it livable.
And that’s not a technical task—it’s a cultural act.
Every Game Carries a Culture
Even the most “neutral” game carries a way of thinking:
● a sense of time (linear or cyclical?)
● a view of competition (is winning essential?)
● a way of managing conflict (is it expected? resolved?)
● a form of social interaction (do we cooperate, compete, negotiate?)
● an idea of authority (who sets the rules?)
When we propose an educational game to people from different cultural backgrounds,
we’re also conveying all of this—often without realizing it.
Cultural Adaptation Is Not Simplification
Adapting a game does not mean simplifying it.
It means re-reading it.
Understanding what might be misunderstood,
which references are out of place,
which dynamics may feel unfamiliar—or even alienating.
Examples:
● A storytelling game that requires speaking about oneself may be uncomfortable in
cultures where self-expression is more private
● An escape game set in a European city may feel irrelevant to those who don’t
recognize its landmarks or symbols
● Symbols, colors, and roles can have radically different meanings across cultures
Co-Design as Cultural Translation
The answer is not to universalize.
It’s to involve.
Designing with people, not just for them,
means building games that are culturally sensitive from the start.
Co-design makes it possible to:
● avoid cultural appropriation
● include meaningful references for the target group
● shape game mechanics that reflect local ways of interacting
● give players the power to define the game’s rules
In this way, co-design becomes a powerful form of shared cultural translation.