
Experience divided history: The digital game “Wallpeckers – from the DMZ to the Berlin Wall” is turning the border topic into an interactive experience. Developed to mark the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the game playfully raises awareness about the division among the younger generation in particular and conveys facts about divided Germany and divided Korea – with all their similarities and differences.
Borders exist in the real world as well as in people’s minds. They divide territories as well as individuals. Two iconic examples from the present and recent history are the Berlin Wall, which fell in 1989 as part of the peaceful revolution, and the still existing DMZ, the Demilitarized Zone, which has been dividing North and South Korea along the 38th parallel for over 60 years now. In the timeline you can see important stations in the history of these two borders.
How is it possible to develop a game about borders in Germany and Korea? A video about the development process of “Wallpeckers”.
In the game, players slip into the role of journalists in a gamified research and editorial process to compile a newspaper with news about the Demilitarized Zone in Korea and the Berlin Wall. Players search for interesting topics in categories such as “Politics”, “Sports” and “Culture”, and puzzle together their articles from text modules found in a real space installation.
The interactive game will be launched at the Berlin Wall Memorial during an event on January 17, 2019. On January 24, 2019, the game will celebrate its Korean premiere near the symbolic Dorasan Station. Both premieres are only for invited guests. After the launch events further games in Berlin and Seoul will be open to the public.
“Wallpeckers – From the DMZ to the Berlin Wall” is a project by the Goethe-Institut Korea and Nolgong.
In cooperation with ARKO – Arts Council Korea – and with expert support from the Berlin Wall Foundation.
Inquiries about the project: wallpeckers@goethe.de