Representasi Nostalgia melalui Ilustrasi Kota dalam Game A Space for the Unbound

Abstract

A Space for the Unbound is a game developed by Indonesian creators and set in Indonesia during the 1990s. Released in 2023, the game has sold more than 200,000 copies worldwide across various consoles and PC platforms. Its pixel art style further evokes a sense of nostalgia among gamers who grew up during that era. The game's depiction of urban environments also represents the atmosphere and characteristics of Indonesian cities in the 1990s, evoking memories and nostalgic feelings associated with the period. This research aims to examine the relationship between nostalgia and the depiction of urban environments in A Space for the Unbound. The research employs a qualitative method through interviews with gamers and a literature review. The participants were gamers who had completed the game and had grown up during the 1990s. The results indicate that various elements of the game's urban environment, including residential areas, schools, internet cafés, public spaces, and other everyday settings, can evoke nostalgic feelings among players. These findings provide a deeper understanding of how the representation of urban environments in games can function as a medium for documenting the past and triggering personal memories and nostalgia.