Designing for memory: A memory-oriented perspective on MMORPG nostalgia

Digital environments are becoming interactive spaces where collective memory is not only stored but also reproduced. With a "memory as design/design as memory" approach, this study examines the impact of digital games in the MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online role-playing game) genre on cultural memory. 97,133 user comments on 169 YouTube videos of games released between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. The data were analyzed using thematic coding, BERT-based sentiment analysis, and annual distribution methods within the memory design theory framework. The findings indicate that music, location, guild activities, and social interactions all contribute to memorability. Nostalgia is reproduced through positive and negative emotions. This study reveals that enduring gaming experiences are formed through emotional triggering, spatial memory, and ritualized behaviors. As a result, a systematic link is established between digital game memory and design practices, and strategic recommendations for future MMORPG designs are offered.