Crossing the Cultural Line: Games and Books Align
At Bokmässan Gothenburg, the traditional literary fair in Sweden, an ambitious theme is emerging: video games and other forms of storytelling are being showcased as natural siblings of the written word. The idea isn’t to pit books against games but to recognize that storytelling evolves across media. Some argue that games threaten the sanctity of print, while others, including the fair’s organizers, see games as a legitimate, complementary language of culture. The ambition is to use this event to build bridges between modes of storytelling rather than deepen divides, highlighting how games share a kinship with books in their reliance on narrative, character, and imagination.
In practice, the organizers describe Bokmässan as a meeting place for the entire cultural sector, and the inclusion of the game industry reflects an intent to broaden the conversation rather than narrow it. The goal is not merely to showcase novelty but to invite critique and collaboration—between game developers, writers, scholars, and educators—so audiences can explore how different storytelling forms illuminate one another.
What Visitors Will Encounter
The fair’s ambition is to create an inclusive space for anyone curious about games, not just the “in-crowd” of enthusiasts. Attendees can expect a program built around seminars and panel discussions that examine the role of games in culture and society, alongside exhibitions, demonstrations, and hands-on play opportunities. By bringing together spelföretag (game companies), developers, and educational programs, Bokmässan aims to offer a holistic view of gaming—from creative processes and technology to ethical considerations and media literacy. In short, visitors will be able to learn, debate, and experience games as part of the broader cultural conversation, rather than merely watching others play.
Who Is the Audience?
One clear aim is to attract a broader audience. While gaming has often been associated with younger demographics, organizers emphasize that the typical gamer today is an older, more diverse audience—often around 35 years old—who brings curiosity about narrative depth and cross-media storytelling. By presenting a wide range of activities—discussions, demonstrations, and interactive experiences—Bokmässan seeks to make gaming approachable for people who may never have visited a game convention, while still offering content that resonates with more seasoned players.
A Swedish Novel That Could Become a Game
As part of the conversation about cross-media storytelling, the discussion turns to literature that could be translated into game form. One suggested example is Klas Östergren’s novel Gentlemen. Set in 1970s Sweden against the Cold War backdrop, it features a young, troubled protagonist and a richly textured world that invites reader interaction. Translating such a universe into an adventure game is cited as a natural extension of the book’s strengths: an immersive setting, morally ambiguous choices, and a narrative that rewards exploration. The idea illustrates how storytelling can traverse formats, with games offering interactivity that deepens engagement with literary worlds rather than displacing them.
Why This Matters for Culture
The broader aim of the Bokmässan experiment is to legitimize games as an integral part of culture and education. By fostering dialogue between publishers, developers, educators, and readers, the fair hopes to demonstrate that games can complement traditional literature and journalism, not compete with them. The event positions itself as a laboratory for cross-media collaboration—where writers collaborate with designers, educators with developers, and readers with producers—to explore new ways of storytelling that respect craft and imagination in all its forms. For attendees, the festival becomes a space to rethink what culture looks like in the digital age and how different media can amplify one another’s strengths.
In sum, Bokmässan Gothenburg’s emphasis on games signals a cultural shift toward inclusive, multidisciplinary storytelling. It invites audiences to engage with games as serious, thoughtful art, while recognizing books and other forms of narrative as equally worthy of attention and exploration. The fair’s strategy is simple but ambitious: celebrate diversity in storytelling, foster dialogue across media, and build bridges between disciplines—so that games and books can thrive side by side as complementary voices of culture.
