The Potential Effect of Video Games on Tourism in Romania. Case Study: Resident Evil Village

Tourism induced by video games represents a new form of tourism that is emerging as an opportunity for economic development. Due to its particular characteristics, the tourism induced by video games stands out as an attractive form and related to a special category of tourists, namely those who are part of the gaming industry. The purpose of the study is focused on the identification and analysis of Romania’s tourist attractiveness elements, within the Resident Evil Village game based on a comparison between the frames presented in the game and frames from reality. At the same time, the development of the study also included the analysis of the evolution of tourism induced by video games by consulting the specialized literature. The main results of the study were highlighted by the identification of multiple elements and locations related to Transylvania within the video game, thus shaping an innovative touristic image of the historical province through the video game. Also, the potential effect of presenting these elements of cultural identity can stimulate tourist motivation.