Map Symbols in Video\xa0Games: the Example of \u201cValheim\u201d

Tymoteusz Horbiński,Krzysztof Zagata

doi:10.1007/s42489-021-00085-0

Tymoteusz Horbiński, Krzysztof Zagata

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42489-021-00085-0

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Abstract

The main focus of this article is to examine the interpretation of twelve cartographic symbols on the map in Valheim. The authors set the research goal: to investigate how players and non-players interpret the symbols. The Valheim video game, which was released in 2021, is a survival game set in an open world. The authors noticed that game developers did not provide a direct explanation of the map symbols used, which could result in a different interpretation and experience of the game. The authors adopted a survey on the LimeSurvey platform as research methodology. This survey tool was used to gather information on experiences and interpretations of map symbols among a diverse group of respondents. Using online forums allowed one to disseminate the survey to a large audience of players from all over the world. Then, using the categorisation method for individual questions, a large database of respondents’ answers was created. Through the analysis, the authors checked the interpretation of symbols and presented the results in the form of graphs. Then, using statistical tests, they analysed the relationship between individual symbols. The study reveals that there are intergroup differences in responses to symbols directly related to the game. With more complicated symbols that did not emphasise an unambiguous answer, both groups of respondents had a problem with indicating the meaning of the symbol. For future research, it is worth continuing research on the interpretation of various map symbols not only in games, but also in all cartographic products.

Highlights

A commercial use of cartography is observable at every step, from map applications that facilitate car navigation (Horbiński et al 2020), AR games, such as Pokémon GO or Harry Potter: Wizards Unite to VR games, such as Beat Saber or Half-life: Alyx
Such employment of cartography speeded up the technological advance that resulted in the decrease in the importance of analogue products and boosted the increase in the value of virtual products (Werner 2017)
In the world of video games there is no clear-cut distinction between games set inside a building and those set outside of it; when it comes to maps in games, the distinction still applies

Summary

Introduction

A commercial use of cartography is observable at every step, from map applications that facilitate car navigation (Horbiński et al 2020), AR games, such as Pokémon GO or Harry Potter: Wizards Unite to VR games, such as Beat Saber or Half-life: Alyx. Hendrikx et al (2012) believe that the game environment is presented as a 1D, 2D, or a 3D area, on which the elements related to the game are placed according to the previously set layout To operate in such space better, many producers include different maps in the game. In the world of video games there is no clear-cut distinction between games set inside a building and those set outside of it; when it comes to maps in games, the distinction still applies

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