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Toward Realism: An Analysis of Coastal Environments in Open-World Video Games

First author: Fraile-Jurado
Year: 2024


Abstract

This study examines the fidelity of coastal environments depicted in open-world video games, aiming to evaluate the accuracy and representation of various coastal features. Through a systematic analysis of 20 selected video games, encompassing diverse settings and developers, coastal elements such as beaches, cliffs, and tidal marshes were scrutinized. A bespoke asymmetric indicator, tailored to each game’s unique coastal landscape, was employed, drawing upon 32 descriptive variables initially proposed by coastal experts. The findings reveal significant variation in the representation of coastal features across different games, with some demonstrating high fidelity, while others exhibit simplifications or omissions. Notably, games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Assassin’s Creed series excel in capturing the complexity of coastal environments, while others fall short in their simulation. These findings underscore the potential for video games to serve as immersive educational tools for understanding coastal ecosystems, emphasizing the need for enhanced fidelity and accuracy in their representation. Further research in this domain could contribute to the development of more realistic and educational gaming experiences, fostering greater awareness and appreciation of coastal environments among players.


Details

Language: English
Country of affiliation: Spain


Published in: Simulation & Gaming
Publication type: Journal article


Source: https://doi.org/10.1177/10468781241287900


Games
No Results

Franchises
No Results


Studies

Description: Content analysis of virtual landscapes which are compared to real-world ones; based on in-depth gameplay and evaluated by topic-relevant experts

Research type: Non-experimental
Data type: Mixed


Comparator: none
Control group: no
Pilot study: no
Pre/post measures used: no
Follow-up: no


Sample type: Game(s)
Sample size: 21
Power analysis: no
Sample countries: null


Games studied: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Crew 2, The Crew, Stranded Deep, Guild Wars 2, Watch Dogs 2, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Grand Theft Auto V, Dragon's Dogma, Fallout 4, Crysis Remastered, Red Dead Redemption 2, Ghost of Tsushima, Dead Island 2, Assassin's Creed: Origins, Far Cry 6, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Death Stranding, Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, Elden Ring, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag


Franchises studied: The Witcher (F), Dead Island (F), The Crew (F), Crysis (F), Red Dead (F), The Elder Scrolls (F), Watch Dogs (F), Guild Wars (F), Far Cry (F), Grand Theft Auto (F), Dragon's Dogma (F), Fallout (F), Assassin's Creed (F)


Study outcomes: Representing nature