Project Purpose
Game
development technology and virtual space hold the potential to recreate history
in an immersive medium. Using archaeological
research as their basis, artists can replicate historical environments in informative,
game-like software by using existing game development tools. Interaction with this environment can inspire
users to further exploration and research.
Well-designed
video games are powerful learning tools, placing players in complex systems and
prompting engagement (Gee, 2005). Kurt Squire,
a researcher in games and education, often cites his experience teaching at-risk
students world history with Civilization
III; students learned geography, economics, and politics through the game
and were motivated to study on their own to gain a competitive edge (Squire, 2006). Coupled with educational
potential, game-like interactive software rooted in historical and archaeological
research can immerse and help the public learn about unique historical
environments.
With
this project, I aim to create a game-like interactive environment where users
navigate through and interact with representations of artifacts from the Viking
Age Oseberg and Gokstad ship burials, which respectively housed two wealthy
women and a male warrior. Working in
tandem with current digitization efforts at Vikingskipshuset
in Oslo, this project aims to preserve and prompt new methods of engagement
with these pieces of Norwegian history and culture for current and future
generations. I aim to build upon the
emerging field of interactive media and games for public education, and hope to
create a springboard for further discussions of the subject. This blog will track the development process
of the project.
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