Toward Realism: An Analysis of Coastal Environments in Open-World Video Games

This study examines the fidelity of coastal environments depicted in open-world video games, aiming to evaluate the accuracy and representation of various coastal features. Through a systematic analysis of 20 selected video games, encompassing diverse settings and developers, coastal elements such as beaches, cliffs, and tidal marshes were scrutinized. A bespoke asymmetric indicator, tailored to each game's unique coastal landscape, was employed, drawing upon 32 descriptive variables initially proposed by coastal experts. The findings reveal significant variation in the representation of coastal features across different games, with some demonstrating high fidelity, while others exhibit simplifications or omissions. Notably, games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Assassin's Creed series excel in capturing the complexity of coastal environments, while others fall short in their simulation. These findings underscore the potential for video games to serve as immersive educational tools for understanding coastal ecosystems, emphasizing the need for enhanced fidelity and accuracy in their representation. Further research in this domain could contribute to the development of more realistic and educational gaming experiences, fostering greater awareness and appreciation of coastal environments among players.