Published: 2026-03-31

Digital games in the service of education and popularization in Polish museums – an analysis of the phenomenon

Dawid Kowalczyk Profil ORCID autora Dawid Kowalczyk
Kultura Media Teologia
Section: peer-reviewed article
DOI https://doi.org/10.21697/kmt.2025.65.06

Abstract

The article provides a synthetic analysis of computer games created or co-created by Polish museums as educational and promotional tools. The study outlines the context of the development of digital museum projects since the 1990s, taking into account both the first CD-ROM projects and contemporary VR initiatives and activities in commercial gaming environments. The study was conducted using desk research, analyzing 1,064 websites of museum institutions from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage list. Eight active utility games available online were selected from among them, and a set of categories was developed, including: title, institution creating or co-creating the game, project website address, theme and purpose of the game, availability of educational materials, and language versions. Shortcomings in archiving, language localisation and teaching support were identified, and good practices in line with the international heritage games trend were highlighted. The analysis is supplemented by examples of events addressed to the gaming community, such as game jams, cosplay, and conventions. The article concludes with a set of recommendations for the design, maintenance, and promotion of games created by Polish museums.

Keywords:

digital games, video game, educational games, museum communication, museum education, game jam, cosplay, heritage games

Download files

Citation rules

Kowalczyk, Dawid. “Digital Games in the Service of Education and Popularization in Polish Museums – an Analysis of the Phenomenon”. Kultura Media Teologia, vol. 65, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 95-112, doi:10.21697/kmt.2025.65.06.

Cited by / Share

This website uses cookies for proper operation, in order to use the portal fully you must accept cookies.