Understanding the representation of cultural heritage within video game contexts

Balela, Majed Salah

Abstract

The research detailed in this Thesis examines how cultural artefacts are represented within modern video game contexts. It takes as a starting point the perspective that whilst there is evidence of substantial investigative work that takes place in the construction of video game environments, there is still more that can be done to improve instances of misrepresentation within such contexts.

Recently (growing over the past thirty years), video game playing has become a predominant part of popular culture. Video games are instances of cultural artefacts of our present time, which offer exciting experiences of many different places and times, in ways that game players of all ages and genders can interact with and be involved in. There are a huge number of video games around the world, some of which have been produced representing cultures in particular locations or representing particular groups of individuals. However, as is detailed from the literature sometimes the culture can be misrepresented through the story, place, or characters. Through the research detailed in this Thesis, the aim is to discover what the current issues regarding misrepresentation are, how do these issues occur, and can we construct measures to help today’s game designers in the consideration of inclusion of cultural artefacts. As a particular area of interest, the focus of the main body of the research outlined within this Thesis is on the representation of Middle Eastern cultures within modern video games.

Citation

Balela, M. S. Understanding the representation of cultural heritage within video game contexts. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4224192

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: May 24, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2023
• Keywords: Arts and new media
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4224192
• Additional Information: School of Arts and New Media, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2017