Brainwashing through palm leaf scripts: a primer
In the charming town of St. Bookston, a mobile bookstore named Tiny Bookstore has set up shop at the flea market. This quaint little bookstore, housed in a trailer, is a haven for book lovers, offering a delightful escape from the bustling world outside. But, as we delve deeper, we find that this idyllic bookstore might not be as innocent as it seems.
Tiny Bookstore is the brainchild of German developer studio Neoludic Games from Cologne. The game, available on PC and Nintendo Switch, immerses players in the world of book selling, with the objective being to sell as many books as possible and make the greatest profit to reinvest and grow. The game costs 19.99 euros and can be found on various gaming platforms.
The bookstore owner has a palm plant in front of the mobile bookstore, a decorative element that adds a touch of tropical charm. However, it's not just for aesthetics. The palm plant increases the chance of selling a classic book by two percent, subtly incorporating elements of capitalism into the game.
In a scientific article from 2024, the use of plants in businesses, such as the mobile bookstore, is viewed as a capitalist power fantasy. The article suggests that capitalism uses nature for taming, control, and exploitation, including in farming simulators and business practices. The author warns that we should be aware of the exploitative potential of capitalist ideas when escaping into cozy games or other little utopias.
The author of this article wrote about their love for cozy games in their first "gamerzine" column. They appreciated how these games create virtual worlds that defy capitalist, patriarchal, or colonialist realities. Yet, they find themselves questioning the palm plant in Tiny Bookstore, believing it may be indoctrinating them with neoliberal ideology.
Despite the sweet and soft appearance of Tiny Bookstore, the capitalist basic idea behind it can lead to exploitative relationships in the real world. The game receives new items through classified ads, making it a second-hand bookstore. This aspect, while charming in the game, highlights the potential for exploitation in real-world second-hand businesses.
Cozy games often provide virtual worlds where basic needs like equality and affordable housing are met. Tiny Bookstore, however, presents a more complex picture, challenging players to navigate the fine line between capitalist ambition and ethical responsibility. As we continue to explore these virtual worlds, it's essential to remain mindful of the underlying themes and potential lessons they offer.
