Abstract
Video games are one of the most influential entertainment media of the 21st century, and many borrow heavily from archaeological material to enhance realism and marketability in their assets, settings, and narratives, yet the study of this widespread phenomenon and its impact on public perceptions of archaeology and heritage remains vastly underrepresented in archaeological scholarship.Using a combination of primary ethnographic research and qualitative data analysis, this thesis draws on archaeological and anthropological discourse to approach three research questions exploring the ways that game developers construct, use, and reinvent archaeological knowledge, the purpose and impact of these depictions, and how the greater involvement of archaeologists could improve archaeological representation in digital games.
In seeking to address these questions the thesis navigates emerging relationships between video games, archaeology and heritage, taking a critical approach to developer involvement in the construction of a playable past.
The findings reveal that video game depictions of archaeology and heritage are shaped by developer notions of historical accuracy and authenticity, informed by a complex and cyclical network of popular perceptions of the past. A willingness to meaningfully engage with archaeological research is hindered by a reliance on open-access resources and a commercial interest to cater to player expectations through the repetition of outdated conventions and archetypes.
This study therefore advocates for a conscientious adaptation of archaeological methods to improve developer access to research, alongside the creation of consolidated academic spaces to further explore cross-disciplinary video game applications and actively engage with the game industry.
Date of Award | 7 May 2024 |
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Original language | English |
Awarding Institution |
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Supervisor | Stuart J Prior (Supervisor) & Graeme Were (Supervisor) |
Keywords
- video games
- Archaeology
- heritage
- archaeogaming
- digital heritage
- representation