What did I just learn?: How commercial video games could underhandedly teach players environmental sustainability
First author: HorstenYear: 2022
Abstract
Commercial video games have a great potential in battling the ongoing environmental crises. However, literature has so far largely neglected a connection between environmental sustainability and commercial video games. Therefore, this thesis analyses environmental sustainability incorporations in commercial video games by conducting a case study on Horizon Forbidden West (HFW). This case study is executed with help of an originally developed analytical model called Dimensions of Environmentally Sustainable Gameplay. The case study concludes that HFW especially excels in creating a realistic environmentally sustainable game world. Other dimensions of environmentally sustainable gameplay such as environmental objects, agents and events, need more improvement. HFW shows problematic incorporation of video game objects as it is merely based on mastering the environment in the form of resource extraction. The research findings indicate that HFW’s producers have not yet uncovered the medium’s full potential. This thesis encourages further research into environmental sustainability in commercial video games and provides commercial video game producers with the necessary tools to create future games with improved environmental considerations.Details
Language: EnglishCountry of affiliation: Sweden
Published in: dissertation
Publication type: Dissertation
Source: https://hj.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1678227&dswid=-3605
Games
No Results
Franchises
No Results
Studies
Description: Played game to conduct analysis, using videos, screenshots, and verbal notetaking
Research type: Non-experimental
Data type: Qualitative
Comparator: none
Control group: no
Pilot study: no
Pre/post measures used: no
Follow-up: no
Sample type: Game(s)
Sample size: 1
Power analysis: no
Sample countries: null
Games studied: Horizon: Forbidden West
Franchises studied: Horizon (F)
Study outcomes: Reflecting ecological issues