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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