Bruce Dias 
It might seem alien to those who aren’t superfans of a franchise, but many fans are inspired to travel to a different country or continent by a game they played in the past. Video games are becoming increasingly popular among members of the general public, as both their plots and their graphics become more sophisticated. The fact that they’re more interactive than movies is very important as well, as you become part of what’s happening on the screen. Many of the settings depicted in video games are inspired by real places, convincing fans from all over the world to grab a plane ticket and start exploring.
Bali
Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, known for its beaches and surf culture, as well as its temples, rich history, and nightlife. Tourism-related businesses make up a whopping 80% of Bali’s economy, and it’s easy to see why, with so many things to see around. Make sure to get an eSIM Bali before you leave home so that you can stay in touch with everyone back home at all times, as well as send them pictures and videos of your adventures without the need to worry about additional roaming fees, slow internet, or data limits.
DreadOut is a popular survival horror game set in Indonesia, where the characters have to battle malicious ghosts. Pamali is another horror game that has been praised for its thick atmosphere, with the plot taking place in various places across the country, including Bali. If you’re not a fan of scary games, though, you might have heard of Escape from Naraka instead, an action indie game that is fast-paced and focused on precise timing. The setting is inspired by Balinese mythology and legends. Nusakana is not directly set in Bali or Indonesia, but was inspired by the beauty of its natural landscapes.
This is the perfect game for those who enjoy open-world JRPGs more than linear storylines, as you get to explore tropical islands, discover lush environments, and have a vacation that lasts more than a year.
Tokyo
Few cities are as connected to video game culture as Tokyo, being a global center for gamers from across the world, as well as a major hub for game developers, and the inspiration for many different gamers. Among the games you may have played that are set in the Japanese capital there’s Ghostwire: Tokyo, set in a fictionalized city that has been overrun by supernatural entities; Yakuza: The Song of Life, which takes place in winter 2016 in the fictional district of Kamurochō, Tokyo, modelled after the real-life Kabukichō and its many shops, casinos, nightclubs, mizu-shōbai establishments, and izakaya.
“Like a Dragon: Ishin!” is a favorite among those who like history, as the plot takes place during the Bakumatsu phase, between 1853 and 1867. Since Tokyo is so popular in games, it should come as no surprise that the Akihabara District is pretty much a pilgrimage site for gamers. Arcades, collectibles, and high-end tech stores can all be found in this area, and you can also visit restaurants with menus inspired by games. Eagle-eyed players will be able to spot references to games at the Tokyo National Museum as well, in the pottery from the Jōmon period, which served as an inspiration for several scenes in two Legend of Zelda games, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Norway
Vikings and Norse culture have been very popular in fandom spaces over the last few years, with video games and TV series with several seasons featuring their lives and exploits. God of War Ragnarök is one of the most popular and well-known examples when it comes to gaming, with all nine worlds depicted in Norse mythology visited as part of the plot. Midgard, the Earth, freezes over as a result of the Fimbulwinter, with Kratos using a sleigh and two pet wolves to navigate the area. Álfheimr, home of the Light Elves; Hel, the land of the dead; Jötunheimr, the realm of the giants; Niflheim, the desolate and frigid environment encased in perpetual mists; and Muspelheim, the land of fire and lava are part of the previous game as well. Niðavellir, the abode of the dwarves, Vanaheimr, and Asgard, homes of the Vanir and Æsir gods respectively, were added in Ragnarök.
However, with so much mythology, it may seem that there’s no real-world place that fans of the game could visit. However, that’s not actually true. The Jotunheimen National Park in Norway, a Precambrian province (the earliest part of Earth’s history), has been known to Vikings and people living much earlier than them, with hunting camps dating back to the Stone Age discovered in the area. In 2020, a 1500-year-old iron arrowhead dating back to the Iron Age and locked in a glacier was discovered, unfortunately, because of the impact of climate change on the region. If you visit the national park, make sure to look over the Besseggen ridge, as it will definitely make you feel like a character in the game.
Egypt
Even those who aren’t keen on learning history know at least one or two things about Ancient Egypt, a period that continues to fascinate people to this day. The plot of Assassin’s Creed Origins unfolds during the days of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, at a time of massive societal upheaval. The main characters are the Egyptian Medjay Bayek of Siwa and his wife Aya, living in the remote Siwa Oasis, who dedicated their lives to protecting it. While the ancient civilizations are long gone, the monuments they left behind are still around, and their splendor can still be admired by visitors from all over the world.
You can visit the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, located close to the city of Luxor and regarded as a masterpiece of ancient architecture. The Karnak Temple Complex across the Nile is easy to identify by its massive columns, the pyramids of Giza, and the Great Sphinx, as well as landmarks that no longer exist (such as the Library of Alexandria and the Pharos of Alexandria), are depicted in the game as well. If you happen to visit the Haba Raba district, get a serving of ful medames from the street vendors, a recipe featured in the 2024 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
There are many places that you can visit if you love video games, as so many of the settings exist in real life or are modeled after locations that existed at some point. All you need to do in order to add these spots to your itinerary is to do a little research, and you’re ready to go.
