The gaming industry has seen numerous attempts to incorporate cultural elements into game design. However, not all efforts go beyond superficial representation. Meaningful integration is to embed national culture into the core gameplay deeply. The depth and authenticity of Evony: The King's Return developed by Top Games Inc. when integrating Chinese culture provided a positive case for our research. They respect and promote national culture and enrich the game content through cultural integration. Among them, combining the settings of China group generals and buildings with the game's core mechanics is the most prominent highlight of Top Games Inc.'s strategy.
The Top Games Inc. team believes that integrating Chinese cultural elements is not just a matter of visual design, but should also be combined with game mechanics. This is first reflected in the skill attributes they set for China group generals.
Each Chinese general in Evony is based on a historical figure or famous allusion, and his story and skills are designed to accurately reflect historical facts. For example, generals like Yue Fei and Huo Qubing were given more than just names but were presented with skills and narratives that echoed their historical deeds and cultural significance.
The depth of this cultural fusion is further reflected in the strategic elements of the game. Their depiction of troop types and generals, such as Zhao Yun's cavalry specialty, reflects the actual military expertise of these figures in Chinese history. Similarly, Zhang Liang's position in Evony is Rally Spot Officer, which shows his strategic talent in history. He was once the counselor of Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, and one of the founding fathers of the Han Dynasty.
In addition to general design, Top Games Inc.'s team's approach to integrating cultural elements also extended to architecture and background design.
The establishment of the advanced imperial examination system in the Tang Dynasty promoted the country's scientific and technological development. So the China Civilization background set in the game added a buff that increases the speed of scientific and technological research.
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, Pu Yuan, and other prime ministers invented transportation tools, such as wooden oxen and gliding horses, which greatly improved transportation efficiency. Therefore, the Chinese cultural features in the game also include additional bonuses for troop loads.
Besides, sculpture art also has high attainments in ancient China. For example, the Leshan Giant Buddha is 71 meters high and famous for its majesty. Evony also designed its miniature within the main city.
Moreover, a building in Chinese traditional style, Crane Pavilion, is also designed in the Ideal Land in Evony. It connects elements of China to the core PVP mechanism by increasing march size, reducing enemy ground troops' attack, and increasing own ranged troops' attack.
The team at Top Games Inc. has proven that games containing cultural references can embed these elements into gameplay to create a more immersive experience. The key to their success is deep engagement with the cultures they reference, respecting and using cultural elements to enhance the core gameplay. This approach not only makes the game more engaging but also transforms it into a medium for cultural education and appreciation. To sum up, the Top Games Inc. team’s success in integrating Chinese culture shows that the integration of cultural elements can and should go beyond the surface and profoundly affect the core mechanics and player experience. This deep integration can turn a game into a truly immersive cultural journey.