Digital games that integrate narrative elements with real-world destinations have gained increasing attention, significantly enhancing individuals' immersive experiences with destinations. This raises a pertinent question: how do such gaming experiences influence tourists' physical interactions with actual destinations? In this study, we examine the spillover effects of digital games on tourism by analyzing Black Myth: Wukong, a widely acclaimed game that combines rich storytelling with authentic geographical features. Leveraging the game's release as a natural experiment, we employ a difference-in-differences model to estimate its impact on tourist experiences. Our findings indicate that destinations featured in the game receive more favorable tourist experience reports compared to those not depicted. Further analysis reveals that this positive effect is negatively moderated by both the destination's pre-existing reputation and the tourists' level of expertise. As the first empirical investigation into the spillover effects of digital games on tourism, our study offers novel insights into how advanced technologies can be harnessed to enhance tourist experiences and inform destination marketing strategies.
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