Entertaining Knowledge: the Video Game Medium in Archaeological Public Outreach

This thesis assesses the suitability of the video game medium in archaeological public outreach. It does so by examining the blockbuster game Assassin’s Creed: Origins (Ubisoft 2017), gauging its accuracy through a comparative archaeological study between the Step Pyramid complex at Saqqara and its virtual reconstruction in the game. Further case studies display designer choices and their relation to the representation of archaeology in the game. Other than examining the accuracy of the virtual reconstruction of the complex, the information given about it in the Discovery Tour mode is also analysed. A survey conducted amongst gamers that have played Assassin’s Creed: Origins is meant to give insight in the level of interest in the archaeology of the game and the consumers’ perception of that archaeology. A different survey, conducted amongst academics of the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University, evaluates the opinion of the academic community on using the gaming medium in...Show moreThis thesis assesses the suitability of the video game medium in archaeological public outreach. It does so by examining the blockbuster game Assassin’s Creed: Origins (Ubisoft 2017), gauging its accuracy through a comparative archaeological study between the Step Pyramid complex at Saqqara and its virtual reconstruction in the game. Further case studies display designer choices and their relation to the representation of archaeology in the game. Other than examining the accuracy of the virtual reconstruction of the complex, the information given about it in the Discovery Tour mode is also analysed. A survey conducted amongst gamers that have played Assassin’s Creed: Origins is meant to give insight in the level of interest in the archaeology of the game and the consumers’ perception of that archaeology. A different survey, conducted amongst academics of the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University, evaluates the opinion of the academic community on using the gaming medium in public outreach, along with their view on the accurate representation of archaeology in the game. Additionally, an assessment is made of the ability of an entertainment-based blockbuster game to transfer knowledge. The core aspects of the medium, such as immersion and interaction, are shown to promote effortless learning and absorption of information as a byproduct of having fun playing the game. This thesis therefore deems the medium suitable for the transfer of knowledge to the public. The gamers survey results do not prove that specific information is retained, but it shows that a general image of Ptolemaic Egypt has been gained along with increased interest in its archaeology. The academics survey results display general agreement that the game provides a rather accurate rendition of Ptolemaic Egypt and nearly all participants believe the medium should be used in public outreach. From the comparative study and the analysis of the Discovery Tour, it is deduced that the virtual reconstruction of the Step Pyramid complex is indeed very accurate. The other case studies show that designer choices could disturb historical and archaeological accuracy, but that this does not necessarily interfere with the representation of archaeology. Thus, this thesis advises the archaeological academic community to invest in the gaming medium and approach game developers about incorporating archaeologists in the design process from the very start of the developing process.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Entertaining Knowledge: the Video Game Medium in Archaeological Public Outreach