Digital cultural policy in Spain: the game of emulation

Abstract

The development of digital cultural policy in Spain started relatively late but has accelerated in recent years. This chapter presents an analysis of the different phases of the Spanish development of digital cultural policy based on varied sources, including legal and policy documents, research literature, expert reports and interviews with relevant stakeholders. It shows how, in Spain, general digital policies precede digital policies specific for culture, are imposed on them and greatly determine them. This is the result of the important influence of EU policies nationally and of the dynamics of interaction between policy initiatives at various territorial levels within the country. The video games sector is presented as an example of the interplay of policies focusing on digital culture at different administration levels in Spain (regional, national) and beyond (European).