In-game media and their role in formation the historical setting in video games

This work is devoted to the study of in-game media and their role in shaping the historical setting in video games. The aim of the work is to articulate a definition of in-game media, identify their types and functions, and examine their contribution to the formation of historical reality in video games, using Red Dead Redemption 2 as an example. The article provides examples of in-game newspapers, magazines, and audiovisual media that have been successfully integrated into the gaming environment. The authors emphasize the relevance and potential of studying the virtual media environment, which has long been overlooked by academic research. The research methods include the analysis of educational materials for journalists and studies on digital media, scholarly articles in the field of game studies, and video games themselves. Special attention is given to the similarities between the in-game newspapers in Red Dead Redemption 2 and the real American press of the late 19th century. The findings of the study may contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the creation of historical authenticity in video games and the development of theoretical aspects of the study of media that exist exclusively within the gaming space.