The ideas of globalization and capitalism can both be easily connected to video games. Globalization is defined as the way that businesses develop global influence or start working at an international level. Randy Nichols’ chapter called “Pokemon Go: Globalization” explains Pokemon Go largely known mechanic of using world-wide “Pokestops” is “just one example of the game’s reliance on globalization” (250). Pokemon Go has “Pokestops” placed all over the world, making the game possible for almost anyone to play, regardless of their location. One large exception to this is South Korea, because their ban on Google Maps limits the game’s playability there (251). Nichols goes onto explain that Pokemon Go became widely popular because of the Pokemon franchise as a whole. The franchise is known for billions of collective sales of their main series and spin-off console games and various merchandise and memorabilia, as well as the long running cartoon series. The fact that Pokemon is known globally is a big reason for its success.

Capitalism is defined as an economic system where trade and business are controlled by a private owner for profit. Matthew Thomas Payne and Michael Fleisch’s chapter titled “Borderlands: Capitalism” discuss how the “economic system of private ownership predicated on the accumulation of goods and mediated by a marketplace of exchange, all of which is propelled by conditions of scarcity, a desire for profit, and inescapable competition” (165) is implemented in Borderlands through “maximizing one’s return-on-(playtime-)investment through the strategic management of in-game assets” (167), as well as the use of vending machines all over the game world, known as Pandora. These spaces allow players to buy and sell various items, as well as interact and trade with other players, all while being safe from enemies (168). Thus, the game ultimately becomes less about shooting monsters and more about acquiring the best loot, weapons, and the most fortunes, showing how heavily capitalism influences gameplay within Borderlands.