Lab Coats, Heroes and Impending Doom, the Visibility of Science in Video Games
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Lab coats, heroes and impending doom, the visibility of science in video games Merja de Konink, 4020324 Master thesis History and Philosophy of Science Supervisor: Dr. F.D.A. Wegener Second reader: Dr. P. Huijnen Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Note on referencing ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1 Hero or villain? The use of science in video game narrative ...................................................... 10 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 10 Part 1 interacting with video games Accessibility of games ................................................................... 10 Part 2 Playing with science in fiction ....................................................................................................... 21 Conclusion chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................... 31 Chapter 2 Mastering science or losing control ............................................................................................ 34 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 34 Part 1 Scientists in theory ........................................................................................................................ 34 Part 2 scientists in action ......................................................................................................................... 40 Scientist of the non-scientific, heroes, vagueness and magic. ............................................................ 42 Scientist appropriating science, moral lessons, certain doom and losing control .............................. 51 Conclusion chapter 2 ............................................................................................................................... 63 Chapter 3 In the eye of the beholder, scientific representation and fandom ............................................ 66 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 66 Modding, inserting science where it was never intended to be. ............................................................ 69 Havens vault, an archaeologist playing with linguistics .......................................................................... 74 Part 2 Finding science in a hopeless place, different genres, different discussions ............................... 79 Revisiting the case studies from chapter 2 as valued by the player ....................................................... 83 Scientist as adventurer ........................................................................................................................ 86 The Pokémon professors, foolish science ........................................................................................... 88 Brigit Tenenbaum, Bioshock series ..................................................................................................... 90 Sobeck in horizon zero dawn............................................................................................................... 91 Helpless scientists Dr. Neo Cortex ....................................................................................................... 95 Conclusion chapter 3 ............................................................................................................................... 99 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 102 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................... 107 Primary sources ..................................................................................................................................... 107 Games ................................................................................................................................................ 107 Internet .............................................................................................................................................. 110 Secondary sources ................................................................................................................................. 118 2 Books ................................................................................................................................................. 119 Journals .............................................................................................................................................. 120 Internet .............................................................................................................................................. 122 Appendix 1 Chapman’s full scheme .......................................................................................................... 125 Appendix 2 List of characters .................................................................................................................... 128 3 Introduction Ryan: Religious rights, Doctor? You are free to kneel before whatever tribal fetish you favor in the comfort of your own home. But in Rapture, liberty is our only law -- A man's only duty is to himself. To imply otherwise, therefore, is criminal. Lamb: Ask yourself, Andrew -- what is your "Great Chain of Progress" but a faith? The chain is a symbol for an irrational force, guiding us towards ascension -- no less mystic than the crucifixes you seize and burn.1 The quote above could have been heard in lecture about modern media or could have been part of a science fiction discussion. In reality this quote comes from a videogame where two scientists discuss the nature of religion and progress. Their conversation continues on what science can do to create this form of progress.2 This thesis examines their debate and other instances of video- game science to ultimately answer the question: How is science represented in video games? Dr. Ryan and Lamb, in their in-game universe, suggest that science answers to its own objective logic and rules and creates change to which society must conform as best as it can. Dr. Ryan is right because his society in the end is overtaken by scientific innovation, overruling the general public in his world.3 This is an instance of fictional science however, the question what science could and should do for society also has real life implications. Outside the in-game world the division between “science” and the “public” is more dynamic than just scientists that force society into change. The interaction between experts and others are highly diverse and shape the reputation of science. The stereotypical representation of science informs debates where people question to what extent the notion of ‘fact’ or ‘research’ can stand apart from wider social, economic and moral questions and interests. The trustworthiness of science is not rooted in solid scientific practice but also partly, determined by its (public) image.4 The (public) image of science is shaped by a manifold of different media. Firstly, popular 1 BioShock, (2K Games, 2007), cross-platform, FPS. "Ryan Vs Lamb: Religious Rights". 2020. Bioshock Wiki. https://bioshock.fandom.com/wiki/Ryan_vs_Lamb:_Religious_Rights. 2 Ibidem. 3 BioShock, (2K Games, 2007), cross-platform, FPS. 4 For example in Bruce Schneier 2012. Liars And Outliers. Indianapolis. IN: Wiley. 4 scientific media, these attempt to inform and convince scientific outsiders (along with scientists in other disciplines) of the significance and developments in the field of knowledge central in the expression. Secondly, the education systems familiarizes people with scientific concepts. Thirdly, there is the realm of fiction. Where the scientific is taken out of science, since the concept of science in fiction does not have to answer to the laws of reality. Moreover, in fiction science can be limitless, it can create time travel, resurrection of the death, intergalactic travel and other, currently, unreal fantasies. These unreal fantasies of science can be seen in movies, comics, television series and video games.5 There is no strict separation between these three categories however both help shape expectations for science in real life.6 The representation of science in fiction, such as movies, cartoons and literature, has received its fair share of attention in academic literature.7 However, the representation of science in video games did not caught academic attention yet. This is understandable because video games, especially narrative driven video games, are relatively new. But, to understand the role of fictional science in mass media, video games should not be overlooked. The video game industry provides entertainment for a wide variety of ages and is supported by a multimillion- dollar industry.8 Within the realm of fiction, video games have a unique place. In reading a book or watching the television the viewer has little to no influence in the story whatsoever.