Reconstructing Yugoslav Past Through Roblox Games

This research investigates how user-generated Roblox games mediate the historical events and cultural trauma associated with the Yugoslav past. The study aims to understand how players engage with this past through symbolic and discursive negotiation within these digital spaces. It addresses a gap in the literature concerning historical user-generated games, particularly given that post-Yugoslav War generations actively share online content challenging traditional, often nationalistic, media narratives.

A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining visual analysis of game environments and character designs with inductive thematic analysis of associated Discord and Roblox chat logs. The sample consists of two games identified using keywords related to Yugoslavia. The visual analysis focuses on symbolic elements of a "universal Yugoslav identity," the preservation or destruction of these elements, and explicit references to the 1990s wars. The thematic analysis explores player interpretations, discussions of historical accuracy, personal connections to the depicted past, and how collective memory is manifested and contested.

Preliminary findings indicate a spectrum of representational approaches in these games, ranging from attempts at historical accuracy to more ideologically driven depictions, some striving for geopolitical realism and others adopting a militaristic focus. Player discourse reveals a range of attitudes, from genuine interest in learning about the conflict to instances of nationalist rhetoric or historical revisionism. This suggests that the interplay between game design and player interaction creates a dynamic environment for negotiating collective memory and national identity.

The ongoing research seeks to develop a typology of historical mediation forms based on virtual world characteristics, character representations, and user discourses. This typology will consider factors such as historical accuracy, the presence of competing narratives, symbolism, genre, and the depiction of violence and trauma. The study highlights the tension between playful engagement and commemoration, recognizing the potential for these virtual spaces to serve as sites for historical learning, misrepresentation, or even political radicalization.