Representation of Western European pre-Roman cultures in video games
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This article examines the representation of pre-Roman cultures in an exhaustive list of 34 video games. The analysis focuses on how the Celts, Iberians, Lusitanians, and Britons were represented, examining both graphic and gaming elements, both considered as cultural markers. This study shows that the representation of these cultures is more aligned with contemporary narrative needs and stereotypes stratified over the last few centuries than with historical accuracy. Furthermore, in the case of pre-Roman cultures, the level of philological accuracy with which the Roman context is represented is not matched, making them appear less complex and evolved. Furthermore, the prominence of the military and the inevitable clash between Romans and others fosters the idea of a violent confrontation between “barbarian” and civilised societies. In conclusion, the cultural attitudes of video game developers are analysed and a greater critical commitment to historical truth is called for.
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