The game I’m eagerly anticipating at the moment is Big Walk, the newest creation from House House, the developers behind the beautiful Untitled Goose Game. This cooperative multiplayer adventure invites players to explore an expansive world, and I’m excited to see what intense gameplay arises from it. Will Big Walk allow for a unique form of community archaeology with friends? I genuinely hope so.

From the placement of objects to audio recordings and graffiti, if the game effectively employs environmental storytelling, it encourages players to embody the role of archaeologists. Game designer Ben Esposito characterized environmental storytelling in 2016 as “the technique of placing a skull near a toilet.” – This might have been a critique directed at games like the Fallout series, but his quick remark illustrates how an archaeological narrative can unfold within a game. After all, the contrast between the skull and the toilet can provoke numerous questions and interpretations about the past within that game world, albeit a rather absurd one.

I have worked as an archaeologist in the tangible world, where I was involved in excavations, fieldwork, and site evaluations across the UK. Currently, I’m pursuing a PhD in Computer Science with a focus on video game archaeology. We are developing innovative methods to document gameplay experiences, including conducting in-game interviews with players and tracking in-game messages in Elden Ring.

Given my background, I often find myself contemplating the games where you play roles akin to an archaeologist, whether as a grave robber or an unknown entity, as well as those that simulate the tasks we perform in the field. Games like What Remains of Edith Finch encourage players to immerse themselves in the environment and contemplate what the objects scattered throughout signify. Dr. Melissa Kägen, an assistant professor of interactive media and game development at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, refers to this type of interpretive gameplay in Walking Simulators as “archive adventure.”

However, it’s not limited to Sims; there are various puzzle games where one can take on the role of an archaeologist, piecing together remnants of the past from archived materials and clues. While some may label these games as “Metroidvanias,” I have a personal affinity for them. Essentially, “information games” (a term coined by developer Tom Francis) require players to formulate theories based on available information and utilize those theories to gain further insights. Heaven’s Vault stands out with its core mechanic of deciphering ancient languages, while other information games like Return of the Obra Dinn, Her Story, and Outer Wilds (which even has a dedicated “archaeologist edition”) encourage players to excavate clues related to their environments and histories.

In my research, I aim to explore how modern gaming can be documented as meticulously as ancient artifacts. I’ve noticed numerous parallels in the gaming landscape. The methods players use to document their experiences—such as screenshots, mapping, and journaling—mirror techniques employed by real-world archaeologists. Some games integrate these documentation methods as central mechanics. A prime example is Season: A Letter to the Future, where players capture the world’s essence just before a cataclysm through their diary entries. Games that prompt note-taking certainly enhance the recording of gameplay experiences, such as the anticipated 2025 puzzle sensation, Blue Prince.

If you’re interested in becoming a video game archaeologist rather than just Tomb Raider-ing, look for the skull next to the toilet. Better yet, document your findings. Future gaming archaeologists will be grateful!

What to Play

In today’s gaming scene, many classic ’80s arcade titles are being rediscovered, with Gradius Origins delighting shoot-’em-up aficionados and Bandai Namco’s Shadow Labyrinth offering a fresh take on Pac-Man.

Next up is Sega’s Shinobu: The Art of Vengeance, a stylish platformer adventure heavily inspired by classic ninja brawler aesthetics. Players navigate a richly hand-drawn cyberpunk world with an impressive array of combat abilities, weapons, and combos. The French developer LizardCube has masterfully blended captivating visual flair with the nostalgic immediacy and modern enhancements of the original title. Expect to relive fond memories while executing fierce moves to dispatch enemies in a visually stunning ballet of violence.

Available on: PC, PS4/5, Xbox
Estimated playtime: 15 hours

What to Read

• Curious about Nintendo‘s game design philosophy? The upcoming book “Super Nintendo” by Keza McDonald is available for pre-order. This in-depth examination offers a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary game and console maker, featuring insights from key figures, including Miyamoto himself. A must-read!

• Over 450 Diablo developers have voted to unionize, as reported by The Communications Workers of America. Nav Bhetti, a senior software engineer on Team 3, shared, “Throughout my development career, I’ve observed my colleagues paying the ‘passion tax’ to work in the industry we cherish.”

• Have you heard of “friendsslop“? Nicole Carpenter explores emerging genres in social gaming, such as Peak, Fatal Company, and Content Warning. Find out what developers can glean from focusing on cooperative experimentation with peers.

What to Click

Question Block

This week’s question comes from Richard B. via email.

“Does the console war still exist?”

This is a topic currently under scrutiny throughout the industry. In February, Xbox Chief Phil Spencer told Xboxera that he’s no longer focused on attracting players from PlayStation or PC. Just three months later, previously exclusive titles like Indiana Jones and the Big Circle have been announced for PS5, alongside Gears of War: Reloaded being linked to Sony’s platform. In return, Sony will release Helldivers 2 on Xbox, with more collaborations likely to follow. A recent Sony job listing suggests they are indeed open to this.

Cross Play—features available in games like Fortnite and Apex Legends—allows players across different systems to compete. In an industry where mobile gaming is increasingly dominant, with NewZoo projecting a worth of $92.5 billion for mobile games in 2024, the competitive landscape is changing.

Still, gamers are inherently territorial in nature. Brand loyalty remains a significant facet of fandom (think Nikon vs. Canon, Nike vs. Reebok, or Android vs. iPhone). Technical specifications are merely one aspect of these rivalries, with style, image, and identity also playing vital roles. Thus, don’t anticipate Xbox and PlayStation to transform into mere apps across various platforms anytime soon. Some battles may come to a close, yet the war rages on.

If you have any questions or thoughts regarding the newsletter, please feel free to reply or email us at butingbuttons@theguardian.com.