Gastronomi, Oyun ve Turizm Kesişiminde Kültürel Temsil: Oyuncu Deneyimlerinden Bulgular

Öz

Dijital oyunlardaki gastronomik öğelerin oyuncu algısını nasıl yönlendirdiği ve bu öğelerin kültürel temsil, destinasyon imajı ile turistik merakla kurduğu ilişkiyi bütüncül bir perspektiften değerlendirmek bu araştırmanın temel çıkış noktasını oluşturmaktadır. Yakuza: Like a Dragon ve Grand Theft Auto V oyunlarına ait gastronomik sahneler görsel analiz yöntemi kullanılarak incelenmiş; bu oyunları deneyimleyen katılımcılarla gerçekleştirilen görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler ise MAXQDA destekli tematik analiz aracılığıyla değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, gastronominin oyunlarda yalnızca estetik bir unsur değil, kültürel kimlik aktarımını güçlendiren ve destinasyon imajını etkileyen çok katmanlı bir temsil alanı olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca otantiklik, kültürel kodlar ve görsel sunumun oyuncularda gastronomik merak ve gerçek dünyaya yönelik deneyim isteği oluşturduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışma, dijital oyunlarda gastronominin kültürel temsile ve turizm davranışlarına etkisini inceleyen sınırlı literatüre katkı sağlayarak bu temayı bütüncül biçimde ele alan ilk araştırmalardan biri olma özelliği taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Dijital Oyunlar
• Gastronomi Temsili
• Kültürel Temsil
• Destinasyon İmajı

Cultural Representation at the Intersection of Gastronomy, Gaming, and Tourism: Insights from Player Experiences

Öz

Understanding how gastronomic elements in digital games shape player perception, and how these elements relate to cultural representation, destination image, and tourist curiosity, constitutes the central focus of this study. Gastronomy-related scenes from Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Grand Theft Auto V were examined through visual content analysis, while qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews with players who experienced both games were analyzed using MAXQDA-based thematic procedures. The findings reveal that gastronomy in digital games functions not merely as an aesthetic component but as a multilayered representational medium that reinforces cultural identity and influences destination image. Moreover, authenticity, cultural cues, and visual presentation were found to stimulate gastronomic curiosity and a desire to experience related foods in real life. By addressing the limited body of research on gastronomic representation in digital games, this study provides one of the first comprehensive examinations of how in-game food imagery contributes to cultural transmission and shapes tourism-related attitudes and behaviors.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Digital Games
• Gastronomic Representation
• Cultural Representation
• Destination Image

Kaynakça

1. Aarts, H., Custers, R., & Marien, H. (2008). Preparing and motivating behavior outside of awareness. Science, 319(5870), 1639-1639. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1150432
2. Akgün Şahin, C. (2021). Destinasyon markalaşmasında gastronomik kimlik ve gastronomik deneyimin önemi: Moda semtinde bir araştırma. [Yüksek Lisans Tezi, İstanbul Üniversitesi].https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/TezGoster?key=tqUiYt63sTQLTpozMJ92QnKa0eR_hLYNnmLJExHU5GLGybrKv7vwnurNOjxsPiuB
3. Baltacı, A. (2018). Nitel Araştırmalarda örnekleme yöntemleri ve örnek hacmi sorunsalı üzerine kavramsal bir inceleme. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 7(1), 231-274. https://izlik.org/JA98FN96XR
4. Batu, M., & Tos, O. (2017). Tüketim kültürü odağında modernizm ve postmodernizmin karşılaştırılması. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 5(2), 991–1023. https://doi.org/10.19145/e-gifder.296888
5. Bengtsson, M. (2016). How to plan and perform a qualitative study using content analysis. NursingPlus open, 2, 8-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.npls.2016.01.001
6. Bisogni, C. A., Connors, M., Devine, C. M., & Sobal, J. (2002). Who we are and how we eat: A qualitative study of identities in food choice. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 34(3), 128-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1499-4046(06)60082-1
7. Brusk, J. (2014). Steps towards creating socially competent game characters. [Doktora Tezi, University of Gothenburg]. http://hdl.handle.net/2077/34774
8. Ch’ng, E., Li, Y., Cai, S., & Leow, F.-T. (2020). The effects of VR environments on the acceptance, experience, and expectations of cultural heritage learning. Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 13(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1145/3352933

9. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research Design: Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
10. Dixit, S. K. (2020). The Routledge handbook of tourism experience management and marketing. Routledge, (1st Edition), 345-405 https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429203916
11. Dumont, J. (2018). Hi I’m Jonathan Dumont, creative director of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Ask Me Anything! [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/assassinscreed/comments/8suomv/hi_im_jonathan_dumont_creative_director_of/
12. Dwyer, L., & Kim, C. (2003). Destination competitiveness: determinants and indicators. Current Issues in Tourism, 6(5), 369-414. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500308667962
13. Fischler, C. (1988). Food, self and identity. Social Science Information, 27(2), 275-292. https://doi.org/10.1177/053901888027002005
14. Fontaine, D. (2020). Landscape in computer games-The examples of GTA V and Watch Dogs 2. Modern approaches to the visualization of landscapes (s. 293–306) içinde. Springer VS, Wiesbaden
15. Glagowski, P. (2018). Glagowski, P. (2018, 2 Eylül). Shenmue and Yakuza are really not that similar. Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/shenmue-and-yakuza-are-really-not-that-similar/
16. Griswold, W. (1999). Cultures and societies in a changing world. Sage, (Fourth Edition), 446-449 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205989
17. Hamada, S., Wilk, R., Logan, A., Minard, S., & Trubek, A. (2015). The future of food studies. Food, Culture & Society, 18(1), 167-186. https://doi.org/10.2752/175174415X14101814953846
18. Hassin, R. R. (2013). Yes it can: On the functional abilities of the human unconscious. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(2), 195-207. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691612460684
19. Hassin, R. R., Ferguson, M. J., Shidlovski, D., & Gross, T. (2007). Subliminal exposure to national flags affects political thought and behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(50), 19757-19761. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0704679104
20. Hsu, F. C., & Scott, N. (2020). Food experience, place attachment, destination image and the role of food-related personality traits. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 44, 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2020.05.010
21. Karslı, C., & Candemir, A. (2023). Destinasyon markalaşmasında gastronomi turizminin etkisinin incelenmesi: İzmir ili örneği. Doğuş Üniversitesi Dergisi, 24(1), 273–292. https://doi.org/10.31671/dogus.1234567
22. Kızılkaya, E. (2010). Bilgisayar oyunlarında ideolojik söylem ve anlatı. [Yüksek lisans tezi, Marmara Üniversitesi]. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/TezGoster?key=veR1mHu9yoWjwcVUjCEoPHB5EyaJHXeFFSjDkawqXCu0fLS9QB1CPMuuCX_1LFW_
23. Kleinheksel, A. J., Rockich-Winston, N., Tawfik, H., & Wyatt, T. R. (2020). Demystifying content analysis. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(1), 7113. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe7113
24. Kovalenko, A., Dias, Á., Pereira, L., & Simões, A. (2023). Gastronomic experience and consumer behavior: Analyzing the influence on destination image. Foods, 12(2), 315. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12020315
25. Loguidice, B., & Barton, M. (2012). Vintage games: an insider look at the history of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, and the most influential games of all time. Routledge, (1st Edition), 24-86. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080880136
26. Metacritic. (2025). Grand Theft Auto V [Video oyunu incelemesi]. Metacritic, https://www.metacritic.com/game/grand-theft-auto-v/
27. Monahan, J. L., Murphy, S. T., & Zajonc, R. B. (2000). Subliminal mere exposure: Specific, general, and diffuse effects. Psychological Science, 11(6), 462-466. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00289
28. Mora, D., Solano-Sanchez, M. A., López-Guzmán, T., & Moral-Cuadra, S. (2021). Gastronomic experiences as a key element in the development of a tourist destination. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 25, 100405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgfs.2021.100405
29. Murcott, A. (1988). Sociological and social anthropological approaches to food and eating. World review of nutrition and dietetics, 55, 1-40. https://doi.org/10.1159/000415556
30. OpenCritic. (2025). Yakuza: Like a Dragon, https://opencritic.com/game/8628/yakuza-like-a-dragon
31. Özkarakaş, E., & Atılgan, N. Ş. (2023). Dijital oyunlar içeriğinin kültürel miras bağlamında incelenmesi ve gölge oyunu değerlendirmesi. RumeliDE Dil ve Edebiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi, (34), 898-911. https://doi.org/10.29000/rumelide.1317112
32. Seyitoğlu, F., & Ivanov, S. (2020). A conceptual study of the strategic role of gastronomy in tourism destinations. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 21, 100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgfs.2020.100230
33. Sio, K. P., Fraser, B., & Fredline, L. (2024). A contemporary systematic literature review of gastronomy tourism and destination image. Tourism Recreation Research, 49(2), 312-328. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2021.1997491
34. Sutton, J., & Austin, Z. (2015). Qualitative research: Data collection, analysis, and management. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy, 68(3), 226. https://doi.org/10.4212/cjhp.v68i3.1456
35. Tor, H., & Irmak, T. Y. (2022). Dijital oyun fenomeninin sosyolojisi. Sosyal, Beşeri ve İdari Bilimler Dergisi, 5(12), 1798-1817. https://doi.org/10.26677/TR1010.2022.1160
36. UNWTO. (2013). Tourism highlights (2013 ed.). Madrid, Spain: United Nations World Tourism Organization.
37. Utanır Karaduman, A. (2023). Sosyolojik Bir Olgu Olarak Yemek; Yemek ve Toplumsal Anlamı, Asia Minor Studies, 11(1), 107-115. https://doi.org/10.17067/asm.1215302
38. Valkenburg, P. M., & Piotrowski, J. T. (2017). Plugged in: how media attract and affect youth. Yale University Press. https://doi.org/10.12987/yale/9780300218879.001.0001
39. van Gaal, S., De Lange, F. P., &Cohen, M. X. (2012). The role of consciousness in cognitive control and decision making. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 6, 121. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00121
40. Weinberger, J., & Westen, D. (2008). RATS, we should have used Clinton: Subliminal priming in political campaigns. Political Psychology, 29(5), 631-651. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9221.2008.00658.x