Game Tourism

This study aims to investigate children's lived experience of tourism in the space of computer games as a background that influences the development of 7- to 12-year-old children. The research method was based on a qualitative and descriptive phenomenological research design. Accordingly, 37 participants were selected from the community of 7- to 12-year-old children to access children rich in information in this field, from the participants who had the most information about computer games and were able to express their experience completely and clearly. Themes extracted from interviews with 13 students who were 12-year-olds included freedom and empowerment, educational value, emotional and psychological impact, attention to game aesthetics, realism and immersion, preference for challenge, contrast between virtual and real life, and impact on real-life skills. For 12 students who were 9-year-olds, themes extracted from interviews included excitement and combat, adventure and exploration, challenges and traps, discovery and use of weapons, interactive and dynamic environments, special abilities and equipment, achievement and power, historical and cultural elements, victory and power, preferences for play environments, and beautiful and clean environments—various ways children engage with video games emotionally and socially. For 7-year-olds, themes extracted from interviews included learning through play, exploration, visual and auditory appeal, quick solutions and cheat codes, emotional engagement and environment, cultural insight, interactive and rewarding experiences, and social interaction. The findings suggest that games can impact children’s emotional and social development, from boosting self-esteem to increasing social interactions.