“Papers, Please”: transpositions between the real and the imaginary of refugee communities

Abstract

This article investigates how the game “Papers, Please” moves between the real and the imaginary in representing the experiences of refugees and immigrants. The analysis focuses on how the game, through its mechanics and narrative, simulates complex moral dilemmas and choices that reflect the challenges faced by real-life individuals when dealing with border control systems. “Papers, Please” puts the player in the position of an immigration officer who must make difficult decisions, exercising value judgments that affect the lives of the game's characters. This study examines how these choices force players to confront questions of ethics and morality, proposing a critical reflection on the role of digital games in education, mainly in simulating sociopolitical situations and understanding human rights dilemmas.