The Spectacle of the Absurd: Parody in Video Games as a Tool of Political Satire Relating to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Abstract

This paper examines the role of independent video games as a medium of partisan expression and alignment with Ukraine during the Russian invasion, with a particular focus on the prevalence and function of parody. Drawing on a corpus of video games (computer and mobile), this study explores how game creators transmute the phenomena witnessed into a set of symbolic ludic objects, which are subsequently employed to craft satirical parodies. These parodies serve to engage with the realities of war, to criticise aggressors, and to construct identities on national and political levels. Our analysis highlights how parody operates across multiple levels of these games, from titles and mechanics to graphics, music, and narrative. By employing humour, exaggerated violence, and cultural symbolism, these games reflect a wartime culture of resistance. They provide a unique lens through which to study the interplay between digital media, identity, and propaganda. This article situates these games within the broader framework of transmedial activism, highlighting their role as new modes of political participation and as agents of globalisation fostering a sense of community and collective agency. This phenomenon underscores how play and procedural interaction can turn unimaginable and abhorrent realities into digestible, reflective experiences. By blending entertainment with criticism, these games offer critical insights into the intersection of game studies and contemporary socio-political discourse; they transform digital spaces into platforms for activism and resistance.