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Nature at Play: Exploring Ecocritical Concepts in Contemporary Video Games

Mock, Matthis LU (2023) HEKM51 20231
Department of Human Geography
Human Ecology
Abstract
Over the last decades, video games have found their way into mainstream culture. Their distinctly interactive nature sets them apart from other forms of media. With regards to the ongoing global climate crisis, it is more relevant than ever to examine the ways in which we depict natural environments in the media. This master’s thesis aims to identify ecocritical concepts present in Far Cry 6 (Ubisoft Toronto, 2021), Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions, 2020) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Studios, 2018). The research takes an ecocritical approach and gathers concepts both from classical literature on ecocriticism as well as recent papers dealing with video games ecocritically. An analysis of the primary data gathered through... (More)
Over the last decades, video games have found their way into mainstream culture. Their distinctly interactive nature sets them apart from other forms of media. With regards to the ongoing global climate crisis, it is more relevant than ever to examine the ways in which we depict natural environments in the media. This master’s thesis aims to identify ecocritical concepts present in Far Cry 6 (Ubisoft Toronto, 2021), Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions, 2020) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Studios, 2018). The research takes an ecocritical approach and gathers concepts both from classical literature on ecocriticism as well as recent papers dealing with video games ecocritically. An analysis of the primary data gathered through close playing of the three chosen games reveals several typical concepts like wilderness and anthropocentrism, but also the emergence of unexpected themes like ecological monstrosity. In conclusion, this thesis finds that the examined games portray more nuanced ecocritical concepts than expected, while still carrying on concepts that can be seen as problematic in the values they present to the player. Consequentially, this research supports the call for both more empirical studies on the direct effect of experiences in video games on players’ actions and opinions in the real world, and a rethinking of the way video game worlds are designed with particular focus on increased realism in human-nature interactions. (Less)
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author
Mock, Matthis LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKM51 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
ecocriticism, video games, ecocritical concepts, natural environment, close playing, Far Cry 6, Ghost of Tsushima, Red Dead Redemption 2
language
English
id
9134326
date added to LUP
2023-09-18 16:26:39
date last changed
2023-09-18 16:26:39
@misc{9134326,
  abstract     = {{Over the last decades, video games have found their way into mainstream culture. Their distinctly interactive nature sets them apart from other forms of media. With regards to the ongoing global climate crisis, it is more relevant than ever to examine the ways in which we depict natural environments in the media. This master’s thesis aims to identify ecocritical concepts present in Far Cry 6 (Ubisoft Toronto, 2021), Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions, 2020) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Studios, 2018). The research takes an ecocritical approach and gathers concepts both from classical literature on ecocriticism as well as recent papers dealing with video games ecocritically. An analysis of the primary data gathered through close playing of the three chosen games reveals several typical concepts like wilderness and anthropocentrism, but also the emergence of unexpected themes like ecological monstrosity. In conclusion, this thesis finds that the examined games portray more nuanced ecocritical concepts than expected, while still carrying on concepts that can be seen as problematic in the values they present to the player. Consequentially, this research supports the call for both more empirical studies on the direct effect of experiences in video games on players’ actions and opinions in the real world, and a rethinking of the way video game worlds are designed with particular focus on increased realism in human-nature interactions.}},
  author       = {{Mock, Matthis}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Nature at Play: Exploring Ecocritical Concepts in Contemporary Video Games}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}