Written by Mark G. Murphy. This article is presented in two parts. The first part was published on 19th November. In this second part, we explore the relationship between cultivation and rootedness in video games by examining how different cultural traditions shape narrative approaches to spiritual development.
Written by Mark G. Murphy. This article explores how Taiwan’s video games use wuxia mythology to build cultural identity and soft power. The games weave local legends with historical events, focusing on themes of resistance, spiritual growth, and rootedness. The author argues that the practice of “cultivation” – developing inner strength – should be interpreted broadly, linking it to Taiwan’s cultural memory and landscapes. This allows players to engage deeply with Taiwanese culture, blending myth and real-world settings to reinforce collective identity and memory. Importantly, this means soft power becomes a kind of internal power, a key principle in wuxia philosophy.
Taiwan Insight 