“We Use Games to Tell Stories”: Fostering Intercultural Understanding Through Actual Play Storytelling

Abstract

This research investigates how "Worlds Beyond Number" (WBN), an Actual Play podcast, fosters intercultural competence (ICC) through narrative co-creation and mediated storytelling. Focusing on the campaign "The Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One", the research employs thematic and discourse analysis of a selected scene to explore how the interplay of collaborative storytelling and gameplay promotes ICC. By applying Byram’s intercultural communicative competence framework, the study demonstrates how WBN facilitates empathy, reflection, and adaptability among its audience. Game mechanics model unpredictability and adaptation, while narrative themes and character dynamics engage listeners in cultural reflection and critical awareness. The podcast’s audio format enhances immersion and accessibility, creating vicarious learning opportunities for its audience. This research positions Actual Play podcasts as innovative tools for intercultural learning and highlights their potential as informal yet impactful platforms for fostering understanding across cultural boundaries.