Exploring the archaeology in (and of) video games.
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Archaeogaming is a collective of gamers who are interested in applying archaeological methods while exploring game-worlds. We are interested in the evolution of gaming worlds and in the use of archaeology while in-game. Archaeogaming was founded by Andrew Reinhard on June 9, 2013.
Mountains of Madness is a tabletop game which never mentions archaeology. Some players have suggested that the main characters are archaeologists due to linguistic and cultural tones. Archaeogaming, the study in and of games, looks at this board game to critically analyze perceptions of archaeology in gaming.
The Game Theorists is a YouTube channel which analyzes digital games. In their videos, there are many tools which archaeogamers can (and should) use for their studies. By adding to the list and making these elements known, the archaeogaming community can think of these methods and new ones as a communal effort to improve archaeological methods in digital games.
Horizon Zero Dawn explores themes in the placement of ruins and artifacts for the digital game world. Archaeogaming is the archaeology in and of games and the way that Horizon Zero Dawn explores the archaeological theory behind analysis of artifact.
The definition of archaeogaming needs to expand and encompass tabletop (or analogue) gaming and games. The archaeology in and of tabletop gaming provides an insight into the culture of the historic period but also our own. Historical games found in archaeological excavations and in historical documentation should be encompassed in the definition of archaeogaming since gaming is much more than digital games.
This special guest post by Franki Webb explores the archaeogaming of Dragon Age Inquisition and Dragon Age Origins. The archaeology in and of Dragon Age by Bioware.
An Introduction to the Archaeology in (and of) Horizon Zero Dawn by Guerrilla Games (2017), on the PlayStation 4. Discussing the archaeogaming aspects in Horizon Zero Dawn as the first of a series of posts exploring the subject of the archaeology in and of Horizon Zero Dawn.
E3 occurred this week and new games, new installments to old franchises, and exciting news for archaeology in and of digital games. Exploring the new archaeogaming potential from the announcements and trailers for E3 entertainment expo.
Discussing upcoming changes to the blog and what to expect for the near future.
On March 22, 2019, I announced that I would be stepping away from this blog and from the archaeogaming Twitter account in order to finish my archaeology PhD at the […]
Presented at TAG Syracuse Session 006, May 4, 2019. Below is the text-as-presented. Click HERE for the MP3 audio, which I pre-recorded (should you want to listen). My sincere thanks go […]
Dr. Stéphanie-Anne Ruatta is an ancient historian and expert in Classical languages who works full-time for Ubisoft: Québec, that rare career path in which some historians and archaeologists see themselves […]
Let’s get this out of the way first: Heaven’s Vault (inkle Studios, 16 April 2019, on Steam and PS4) is the best archaeological game I’ve ever played. It is also the best […]
NOTE: The following “review” was done as a 2019 April Fools joke. A real review will be forthcoming once the embargo lifts on April 16. Heaven’s Vault (inkle studios) will […]
Heaven’s Vault is a new, archaeological digital game (available Spring 2019 from inkle Studios) that breaks many boundaries in how archaeology and archaeologists have been portrayed. In the game, players: …uncover […]
We did this to ourselves. Humanity’s core set of needs include: food, water, protection from the environment (i.e., clothing and/or shelter), survival of the species. A fifth core need must […]
Introduction Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey continues the franchise’s deep dive into Antiquity, featuring over 60 hours (so far, for me) of deep play in the Greek world of the 5th century […]
Archaeogaming 