Understanding Space in Videogames: Methodological Contributions from Archaeogaming and Geofiction

Geometric analysis alone fails to capture the profound anthropological significance of virtual environments, necessitating a shift toward more interpretive methodologies. By integrating the fields of archaeogaming and geofiction, researchers can treat digital worlds as complex cultural artifacts rather than mere coordinate-based grids. This approach posits that game spaces function as repositories of human experience, where historical, social, and subjective narratives are embedded within the architecture of the virtual landscape.

The methodological framework centers on the hermeneutic circle, a process that allows for a deeper reading of how digital environments mirror or subvert real-world geographical and historical concepts. A case study of Rise of the Tomb Raider serves to validate this model, demonstrating that virtual spaces act as speculative geographies that invite critical inquiry into how players inhabit and interpret these constructed realities. By moving beyond technical measurements, this interdisciplinary lens reveals how game design actively shapes the player’s understanding of space through narrative architecture and cultural symbolism.

This analytical perspective draws upon a broad interdisciplinary foundation, bridging game studies with geography, archaeology, and philosophy. The findings underscore that virtual space is not a neutral backdrop but a dynamic, meaningful component of contemporary digital culture. Ultimately, the synthesis of archaeogaming and geofiction provides a robust toolkit for scholars to decode the multifaceted layers of meaning within modern gaming, establishing a new standard for spatial analysis that accounts for the intersection of technology, history, and human perception.