Narrative Breakdown

Mixed Methodology

There were many ways that we could tackle such a question, though one methodology that we used as the foundation of our project was to begin by collecting useful data about video games. In particular, we wanted to have information about sales numbers, review scores from both audiences and critics, and prevalence of certain genres over time. Gathering this information from a wide range of sources including gaming websites and forums. We would use this data to draw connections between when a specific game genre was popular and reasons as to why that may be the case. Our thought was to see if there were any events, whether historical or technological, that resulted in a shift towards any genre specifically, and record what those events were and the degree to which they affected the market. This methodology would also allow us to collect information about exactly when a game genre rose in popularity and create a timeline describing that trend. With a timeline, the technological advancements in video games will become apparent and will allow us to further explore whether technological innovations influence the video game player base. The choice of our dataset allow us to look at video game sales from 1980 to 2024 and the datasets include the most popular video game platforms used yearly. The methodology we used for our analysis was to take the platforms and the video game sales to graph the changes in video game popularity over time. Advancement in technology allowed the video game industry to implement new technology and graphics to games and we wanted to see if that had an effect on the player base. This idea can also have a humanities aspect, specifically Reader-Response Theory. We thought that the medium in which the game developers sold their games could change how the gamers experience video games. Some people may seek the newest and innovative gaming experience such as VR and motion controls, while other gamers can find joy in playing vintage and classic games. We are planning to incorporate other statistics from the Entertainment Software Association, which include statistics on the player base such as reasons for playing video games, modes of playing games (console, pc, mobile), demographics, and more. Tying in with our analyses on the data set, we can begin to see links between shifts in genre popularity and socio-economic climates.

Notably, we intend to perform several types of analyses to improve the quality of this project. Primarily, we will be doing a thematic analysis, as the most important question we want to answer is what socio-economic circumstances make certain genres favored over others. However, we will also be making use of digital humanities theories to benefit the project. Specifically, Marxist theory to assess the ways in which economic factors can influence games. Additionally, we plan to make use of critical disability studies in terms of making an accessible and intuitively designed website that is simple to navigate for users.

Timeline

Within the past few decades, there has been an increase in the integration of the internet with our daily lives. This increased utilization of the internet has allowed us to track contemporary historical events in addition to recent shifts in gaming. Taking note of these shifts in relation to the events that sparked them provides insight towards what influences our hobbies. Video games serve as a time capsule of our ideas, values, and beliefs, all of which are critical aspects to any civilization and are worth taking the time to understand. Seeing what circumstances work towards making a particular genre better received is beneficial towards allowing game developers to improve the reception of their games. We have created a list of events that have had notable effects on the video game industry.

Digital Humanities Contribution

Our project contributes to digital humanities through its interdisciplinary approach, integration of theory and practice, and analysis of socio-economic events. This comprehensive methodology offers new insights into the video game industry and  promoting development and innovation in the DH field.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Our project demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary approaches in digital humanities by combining cultural studies and data science. We believe this combination provides a useful framework for analyzing complex digital cultural phenomena. For instance, we used data analysis to track popular game genres each year and cultural interpretation to understand how societal events might influence gaming preferences. This reveals the dynamic interaction between cultural products and social contexts. The increase in indie game development post-pandemic highlights how socio-economic shifts can lead to changes in industry trends, showing the adaptability and responsiveness of cultural products to external factors.

Combining Theory and Practice

We demonstrate how the integration of digital humanities theories with practical analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of cultural phenomena. By utilizing Reader-Response Theory, our analysis demonstrates how different platforms offer varied gaming experiences, which in turn affects the reception and interpretation of video games and influences platform sales, highlighting the active role of the “readers” in creating meaning. Additionally, by incorporating Marxist theory, we explore how the economic base influences the cultural superstructure, showing how the market drives the development and popularity of certain game genres. For example, market demand for fast-paced, competitive gaming experiences influences the types of games that developers prioritize, helping to explain why FPS games dominate the market. This integration of theory and practice underscores the practical application of digital humanities theories, showcasing their relevance and utility in analyzing real-world data.

Socio-Economic Event Analysis

Our project examines the impact of socio-economic events on the gaming industry, providing a new perspective on games as socio-cultural phenomena.  By comparing game release timelines with socio-economic events, we demonstrate how external factors shape consumer preferences and industry trends. For example, our visualization of game trends before and after COVID-19 highlights a shift from single-player to social simulation and multiplayer games during the pandemic. This shift reflects changes in social behavior and economic conditions, illustrating how external events can affect the gaming industry and consumer behavior.