The educational value of virtual ecologies in Red Dead Redemption 2
The educational value of virtual ecologies in Red Dead Redemption 2
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《荒野大镖客：救赎2》虚拟生态的教育价值
DOI：
10.1002/pan3.10242
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发表时间：
2021-07-08
影响因子：
6.1
通讯作者：
Crowley, Sarah L.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Crowley, Edward J.;Silk, Matthew J.;Crowley, Sarah L.
1.玩电子游戏通常被认为是与自然世界接触和学习的对立面。然而，人们越来越认识到，数字媒体现在是许多人生活的核心部分。这使得人们更加努力地利用数字游戏的力量和普及来进行生态教育和保护。为教育目的设计的游戏可能被认为太小众，或资源不足，无法接触到更广泛的受众。相比之下，大预算视频游戏拥有数百万玩家，但通常是为娱乐而不是教育而设计的。Red Dead Redemption 2（RDR2）是一款以西方为主题的动作冒险游戏，就是这样一款产品。尽管如此，由于它对19世纪末北美生态系统的详细开放世界模拟，它为玩家提供了了解真实世界野生动物的机会。我们调查了自称玩过和没有玩过RDR2的游戏玩家。参与者进行了一个野生动物识别测试，重点是游戏中描述的15种物种。我们还询问了参与者关于他们自我报告的学习和玩RDR2.4的经历。我们发现，玩过RDR2的参与者在测验中正确识别了更多的物种，这种改进通过完成游戏的主要故事情节，最近玩过或在线玩过“自然主义者”角色而得到加强。在游戏中具有高效用值的有蹄类动物和鱼类中，表现差异最大。除物种识别外，与会者报告学习了动物行为和物种间的相互作用。他们最难忘的经历与RDR2的沉浸式环境和激发情感反应的能力有关。我们的结论是，大预算的视频游戏可以有教育和娱乐价值，应该认真对待教育工作者，生态学家和环保人士作为一种沟通的力量。
1. Playing video games is often perceived as the antithesis of engaging with, and learning about, the natural world. Nevertheless, there is growing recognition that digital media is now a central part of many people's lives. This has led to increased efforts to harness the power and popularity of digital games for both ecological education and conservation advocacy.2. Games designed for educational purposes may be perceived as too niche, or have insufficient resources, to reach wider audiences. In contrast, big budget video games reach many millions of players, but are generally designed for entertainment rather than education. Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), a Western-themed action-adventure game, is one such product. Nevertheless, due to its detailed, open-world simulation of late 19th century North American ecosystems, it provides opportunities for players to learn about real-world wildlife.3. We surveyed self-described gamers who both had, and had not, played RDR2. Participants undertook a wildlife identification quiz focusing on 15 species depicted in the game. We also asked participants about their self-reported learning and experiences of playing RDR2.4. We found that participants who had played RDR2 correctly identified more species in the quiz, with this improvement enhanced by having completed the game's main storyline, played more recently or played online in a 'Naturalist' role. The difference in performance was greatest for ungulate and fish species which have high in-game utility value.5. In addition to species identification, participants reported learning about animal behaviours and interspecies interactions. Their most memorable experiences were associated with RDR2's immersive environment and ability to provoke emotional responses.6. We conclude that big-budget video games can have educational as well as entertainment value and should be taken seriously by educators, ecologists and conservationists as a communicative force.