My Undergraduate Dissertation: Responses Needed

The function of landscapes in video games

 Hello, my friends,

  I am a third-year geography undergraduate student at University College London (UCL). I am currently in the process of writing my dissertation, and I require some input from anyone who comes across this blog post - which is being posted across various forums (Reddit, Quora, Blogger, etc.). If you happen to see this while scrolling, then please take the time to share your thoughts and opinions. All responses can be kept anonymous, or if you'd like to leave your preferred name at either the top or bottom of the reply, then I can reference it as such.

  Firstly, let me frame my research question. In my final year paper, I am investigating the meaning of virtual landscapes as portrayed in video games; the nexus of which focuses on 'The Last of Us: Part II'. Throughout my writing, I explore the allegory of concept art, monster design, and other environmental ideas. It has long fascinated me as to why players are so enthralled by the back-to-nature and apocalyptic landscapes in the game (TLoU: Pt. II), and now I'm collating responses to enrich my methodological section.

  To begin, I'll ask some larger-in-scope questions, in an interview-style manner (if you disagree with any of my questions/thoughts or wish to expand on them further, then I'd ask you to please - appropriately - express yourself; it will aid my writing):

1. Do you think that the concept artwork (and finalised landscapes; e.g., Seattle, and other Northwest regions) within 'The Last of Us: Part II' are pleasant/beautiful to look at?
2. Do you think that the concept artwork (and finalised landscapes) within 'The Last of Us: Part II' have hidden meanings and/or larger allegoric messages; is the destruction a warning of what's to come given our current climactic damage and eco-anxiety?
3. In 'The Last of Us: Part II', how would you describe the relationship between humanity and the natural environment; e.g., is it framed as antagonistic or harmonious?
4. What were your initial thoughts when you played 'The Last of Us: Part II' and roamed the digital landscapes (e.g., The Paramount/Pinnacle Theatre, Seattle Central Library, The Seattle Great Wheel, and other miscellaneous outdoor/indoor surroundings)?
5. To be as honest as you can, what does 'The Last of Us: Part I & II' mean to you as a franchise; what do you enjoy/dislike about its concept and execution?

  Moving on, I would like to ask you a little bit about the monster. The monster as a concept is extremely allegoric. I do not want to influence your thoughts/opinions in any way, but I am particularly interested in how the 'infected' are (a) still alive - to an extent, and (b) grotesque puppets to a fungal (cordyceps) host. Let's begin:

1. Do you believe that the infected within 'The Last of Us: Part II' (and 'The Last of Us: Part I') are representative of a wider message; a cautionary tale of humanity's rampant consumption and environmental disregard for Earth?
2. What do the infected make you feel when they're roaming the broken landscapes in 'The Last of Us: Part II'; e.g., sad, scared, contemplative, angry?

  Next, I would like to attach some images (that I have analysed) and see if you can engage with them in a critical/analytical way. I am focusing on what these images both make you feel and what they say; what is the art team trying to convey (if anything at all) in a wider geographical sense. Please reference the image number that you're referring to in your answers:

A destroyed, yet still identifiable, Seattle. A quote from the book 'The Art of The Last of Us' to aid your thoughts: "The concrete-and-glass buildings provide no match for the rising tides."

2.

Another image of the Seattle landscape within 'The Last of Us: Part II'.

3.

A withered and reclaimed Seattle skyline.

4.

An 'early humans fighting an animal' exhibit in a Museum of Natural History.

5.

The progression of infection in the series.

6.

Sea level rise has completely engulfed the once-busy urban area.

7.

An infected person wanders around inside an interior setting.

8.

A tree growing where once it should not have.

  Finally, to round out my online data collection, I would like to ask you a broader question, with closer links to climate change, environmental degradation, and human activity:

1. Do you believe video game landscapes ('The Last of Us: Part I & II') have a function beyond being visually interesting and/or aesthetically pleasing; do people read too much into landscapes or is there a genuine, tailored purpose to their existence applicable to other realms of academia?

  Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing any responses. This is for my dissertation, and so serious replies are greatly appreciated. I understand the controversy surrounding 'The Last of Us: Part II' (as a huge fan of the franchise myself), but this digital interview-esc post pertains not to the game's storyline or character arcs. Once again, thank you for your patience, thoroughness, and engagement.

- Samuel White, a final year geography undergraduate at UCL

Introducing My Blog: A Warm Welcome

'The Samuel White Blog': An Overview

(TW: Mentions of mental health struggles)

Introducing My Blog

  Hello, dear reader, and a warm welcome to 'The Samuel White Blog'. This is, for now, the official home of my many random thoughts, kind words, intriguing questions, and - in general - incessant ramblings; I do hope you enjoy it here, and you're welcome to stay if you'd like. Let’s begin by mentioning two matters at the top of the page (and the start of my blogging journey).

  Firstly, I always try to support my writing in academic literature. I do this by referencing books, articles, and journals, aiming to provide a deeper and more contextual understanding of what I mean when I write. So, as you read my words, you’ll notice some phrases are underlined and coloured blue, here's an example. It's nothing malicious, just a hyperlink to whichever paper I read at the time. It's a pretty cool feature, rather professional I'd say! Oh, look at me, Mr. Professional Blogger, fancy stuff.

  Secondly, on a more serious note, I am by no means a professional author. I’m sure my grammar will fall off in places, and spelling will take a nosedive from time to time. Therefore, if you do notice an error (or ten... or fifty), and if something doesn’t make literary sense, please let me know with kindness and tender love. Then again, any form of feedback is always valued and appreciated, and it’s a free world after all, so you can make your own decisions and act as you see fit. My blog does have a ‘report abuse’ feature. This is a safeguarding measure, which I have implemented to keep everybody out of harm's way. What this means is that if you go around spreading horrible language, or aim, with malevolence, to put others down, you will not be able to read this blog going forward.

Content

  Continuing the serious theme, this new endeavour has no set tone. Because of this, posts will fluctuate between being earnest and silly, introspective and lighthearted - which I think, is very much on brand for life itself, for nothing is ever truly one or the other, this or that, yes or no. While one post may revolve around a film I have recently seen, or aim to recount a day trip I have taken, another might focus on my experience with battling, for example, an eating disorder, or my periodical depressive episodes. The internet is a wonderful thing, and it has truly revolutionised the way in which we humans communicate and interact with one another. I can't think of a better, more delightful way to utilise this miracle of ingenuity, than spreading peace and love across space and time (possible time traveller confirmed?).

  When the idea for this adventure was born, I told myself I wanted to be as honest, open, and raw, as I possibly can be when describing things that I have been through. I must stress, this is not to overshare or rant, but rather because I trust that everything which occurs in life, does so for a solid and sure reason. Therefore, I firmly believe that the pain I have endured over these last few years was suffered so that I could possibly help others avoid (or mitigate) similar battles to my own - similar, because matters of the mind are complex and entangled in nature, so no two cases are ever the same. Essentially, my words in this series are merely a guiding light, a gentle breeze, a reverberating echo through the tunnel of consciousness, hinting at its end. Unfortunately, though, I cannot tell you the exact directions to reach such a place, for that is an individual journey.

Signing Off

  To close, and to lighten the mood, above all else I want you to have fun. I'd love nothing more than to know that a smile grew across your face while your eyes scanned my words. To me, that is worth more than any amount of money. Happiness, contentedness, and caring, are priceless. If you do enjoy an article or opinion piece, then please do let me know by leaving a comment below (or seek out my many social media pages, here - all of which I solely run and manage).

  From the very beginning of my journey, as an online creator, I have held nothing but total tenderness and love for you all. This online journal, along with everything that I do, is a safe space. You are accepted here, free from judgment, fear, and anxiety. You are accepted here. That's all I have to say, for now. What I will do is publish the scheduled posts below, so you know what is coming up, and what to look out for. Happy spooky season, my friend (leave a comment as to what you are doing this Halloween), and all my love forever and ever.

Samuel White
Aged 21
A human being from planet earth
Full-time silly sausage/goose