Reinterpreting Rural Folklore Through Digital Media: A Study of Pakistani Children’s Interaction with Global Digital Games

Abstract

The digital games are highly enjoyed by children worldwide as well as in Pakistan. These games are majorly produced elsewhere. Pakistani children do not however simply play them and have fun; however, they play these games to make their stories. Most of these tales are related to the countryside and folklore. This paper examines the combination of folk ideas with games like Minecraft, Roblox, Free Fire, Hay Day and COD Mobile by children. It also looks into the ways in which the children demonstrate heroism, teachings, female empowerment, animal theme and rural landscape during their play. The study is based on a qualitative approach. It examines gameplay, screen shots and close up shots. The results indicate that a child reconstructs village environment, assigns heroic roles to his or her avatars, and develops stories that have moral significance. Female and animal characters are also played actively by them. This paper demonstrates that folklore is not ancient and stable. It changes with time. Now it is able to expand online. The study contributes to visual culture, folklore studies and children media studies. It also implies that folk ideas may be preserved in the contemporary world with the help of digital games.