Digital Sovereignty and Video Games

Abstract

The concept of digital sovereignty has become a central analytical category in both social theory and digital policy debates. However, it has so far rarely been linked to the field of video games. This article addresses this gap. Drawing on Floridi’s concept of the Onlife, it examines how video games are entangled in political struggles over information, propaganda, and disinformation, while simultaneously opening up spaces for censorship-resistant communication. In addition, the article highlights the economic power structures that shape the global gaming industry. It becomes clear: video games are deeply involved in contested processes of digital control—and should therefore be recognized as a crucial dimension of digital sovereignty.