Independent Games and Fashion: A New Frontier in Digital Aesthetics and Narratives

Tatiana León-Alberca; Daniela Calva-Cabrera; Alejandra Valerio Matos; Angel Torres-Toukoumidis

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-99481-4_15

Independent Games and Fashion: A New Frontier in Digital Aesthetics and Narratives

Tatiana León-Alberca
, Daniela Calva-Cabrera
, Alejandra Valerio Matos
, Angel Torres-Toukoumidis

Game Lab-UPS Research Group (GAME LAB)

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

This study explores the innovative intersection of independent video games and fashion, a domain that remains underexplored in academic research. By analyzing 20 independent fashion-themed games from platforms like itch.io and Game Jolt, the study investigates their typologies, narrative structures, gameplay mechanics, and digital aesthetics. The findings reveal a predominant focus on entertainment and self-expression, with most games enabling players to explore personal styles in safe, interactive environments. These games prioritize customization and creativity over traditional progression systems, providing players with a space to experiment with visual identity without societal pressures.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Fashion Communication in the Digital Age - Proceedings of the FACTUM 25 Conference, 2025
Editors	Paula von Wachenfeldt, Lorenzo Cantoni, Nadzeya Sabatini, Teresa Sádaba
Publisher	Springer Nature
Pages	197-209
Number of pages	13
ISBN (Print)	9783031994807
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99481-4_15
State	Published - 2026
Event	4th International Conference on Fashion communication: between tradition and future digital developments, FACTUM 2025 - Stockholm, Sweden Duration: 25 Jun 2025 → 27 Jun 2025

Publication series

Name	Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics
ISSN (Print)	2198-7246
ISSN (Electronic)	2198-7254

Conference

Conference	4th International Conference on Fashion communication: between tradition and future digital developments, FACTUM 2025
Country/Territory	Sweden
City	Stockholm
Period	25/06/25 → 27/06/25

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2026.

Keywords

Digital fashion
Gameplay mechanics
Independent video games
Narrative structures
Self-expression

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-99481-4_15

Cite this

León-Alberca, T., Calva-Cabrera, D., Matos, A. V., & Torres-Toukoumidis, A. (2026). Independent Games and Fashion: A New Frontier in Digital Aesthetics and Narratives. In P. von Wachenfeldt, L. Cantoni, N. Sabatini, & T. Sádaba (Eds.), Fashion Communication in the Digital Age - Proceedings of the FACTUM 25 Conference, 2025 (pp. 197-209). (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99481-4_15

León-Alberca, Tatiana ; Calva-Cabrera, Daniela ; Matos, Alejandra Valerio et al. / Independent Games and Fashion : A New Frontier in Digital Aesthetics and Narratives. Fashion Communication in the Digital Age - Proceedings of the FACTUM 25 Conference, 2025. editor / Paula von Wachenfeldt ; Lorenzo Cantoni ; Nadzeya Sabatini ; Teresa Sádaba. Springer Nature, 2026. pp. 197-209 (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics).

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abstract = "This study explores the innovative intersection of independent video games and fashion, a domain that remains underexplored in academic research. By analyzing 20 independent fashion-themed games from platforms like itch.io and Game Jolt, the study investigates their typologies, narrative structures, gameplay mechanics, and digital aesthetics. The findings reveal a predominant focus on entertainment and self-expression, with most games enabling players to explore personal styles in safe, interactive environments. These games prioritize customization and creativity over traditional progression systems, providing players with a space to experiment with visual identity without societal pressures.",

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León-Alberca, T, Calva-Cabrera, D, Matos, AV & Torres-Toukoumidis, A 2026, Independent Games and Fashion: A New Frontier in Digital Aesthetics and Narratives. in P von Wachenfeldt, L Cantoni, N Sabatini & T Sádaba (eds), Fashion Communication in the Digital Age - Proceedings of the FACTUM 25 Conference, 2025. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, Springer Nature, pp. 197-209, 4th International Conference on Fashion communication: between tradition and future digital developments, FACTUM 2025, Stockholm, Sweden, 25/06/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99481-4_15

Independent Games and Fashion: A New Frontier in Digital Aesthetics and Narratives. / León-Alberca, Tatiana; Calva-Cabrera, Daniela; Matos, Alejandra Valerio et al.
Fashion Communication in the Digital Age - Proceedings of the FACTUM 25 Conference, 2025. ed. / Paula von Wachenfeldt; Lorenzo Cantoni; Nadzeya Sabatini; Teresa Sádaba. Springer Nature, 2026. p. 197-209 (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Independent Games and Fashion

T2 - 4th International Conference on Fashion communication: between tradition and future digital developments, FACTUM 2025

AU - León-Alberca, Tatiana

AU - Calva-Cabrera, Daniela

AU - Matos, Alejandra Valerio

AU - Torres-Toukoumidis, Angel

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2026.

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - This study explores the innovative intersection of independent video games and fashion, a domain that remains underexplored in academic research. By analyzing 20 independent fashion-themed games from platforms like itch.io and Game Jolt, the study investigates their typologies, narrative structures, gameplay mechanics, and digital aesthetics. The findings reveal a predominant focus on entertainment and self-expression, with most games enabling players to explore personal styles in safe, interactive environments. These games prioritize customization and creativity over traditional progression systems, providing players with a space to experiment with visual identity without societal pressures.

AB - This study explores the innovative intersection of independent video games and fashion, a domain that remains underexplored in academic research. By analyzing 20 independent fashion-themed games from platforms like itch.io and Game Jolt, the study investigates their typologies, narrative structures, gameplay mechanics, and digital aesthetics. The findings reveal a predominant focus on entertainment and self-expression, with most games enabling players to explore personal styles in safe, interactive environments. These games prioritize customization and creativity over traditional progression systems, providing players with a space to experiment with visual identity without societal pressures.

KW - Digital fashion

KW - Gameplay mechanics

KW - Independent video games

KW - Narrative structures

KW - Self-expression

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AN - SCOPUS:105020760098

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BT - Fashion Communication in the Digital Age - Proceedings of the FACTUM 25 Conference, 2025

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León-Alberca T, Calva-Cabrera D, Matos AV, Torres-Toukoumidis A. Independent Games and Fashion: A New Frontier in Digital Aesthetics and Narratives. In von Wachenfeldt P, Cantoni L, Sabatini N, Sádaba T, editors, Fashion Communication in the Digital Age - Proceedings of the FACTUM 25 Conference, 2025. Springer Nature. 2026. p. 197-209. (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics). doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-99481-4_15

Independent Games and Fashion: A New Frontier in Digital Aesthetics and Narratives

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this