I think it would interesting to study the the ways in which they differ and why. I think focusing down on particular aspects of why they do/don't align could have solid results.

A challenge would be making it seem like an entirely serious project and not having to spend an unfortunate amount of time explaining video games. Makes me think it might be better as a non-thesis research project really, but it could be done.
 

I actually got interested in architecture partly because of building my own levels for Duke Nukem 3D back in the day:

These are just random google searches, don't have my own levels any more :(

I've thought of something very similar in the past. Let me know if this is something you're still pursuing - I've always thought that there was a lot of overlap between level and environmental design and real life spatial design despite user and purpose being very different.

Read this particular book back in the day - may be dated but was pretty interesting read: https://www.amazon.com/Space-T...

varunsharma

I used to work for Rockstar games where we built city racing games(Midnight Club), where we built many cities with Maya - I figured it would be cool to use this technology to build real buildings - so I studied toward my M.Arch degree and used Maya both at Rockstar and in architecture - Then I started using Revit, which is similar to Maya at least as far as modeling approaches are concerned. after graduation - I began my architecture career at SOM, using many video game city building 3D diagram concepts to build large scale multi-building housing projects

I think the biggest thing coming from games that is likely to affect architecture is VR where clients an walk around their proposed buildings before they are built using a model. Although some visual artists are using Unreal technology etc to do architectural animations as well.

But I cant think of how real architectural design and architecture in games is related that much otherwise. Usually in games they take real architectural buildings concepts and reuse them in games to create a city etc but speed of design, and immediate impact, plus an obvious sense of progression are key to games design. Real architecture is more about economy, buildability, and functionality.

I suppose there is a bit of a link to city building games and real city/building design but that's not worthy of a thesis.

Hi Varunsharma,

Did you end up doing your Thesis on this subject?

I'm currently looking at doing a research paper for my Master in Architecture on this subject and would love to build on top of your research. Perhaps explore areas which you left open but deem interesting to investigate.

Thanks for your help!

Peter

Hello Varunsharma and peter-v

I am also doing my Master in Architecture and researching the same subject.

I am currently in between narrowing/focusing it down on either analyzing the interior architecture in video games and evaluate them using Gestalt, or do a basic correlation between spatial spaces video&reality kind of topic, tbh im more into second one as i can do it quickly + continue phD with a bigger subject and get this over with.

Have you guys did your thesis’ or topics about this subject so we can build up or correlate in between ?

Thanks in advance, 

Cheers

Hello guys

I just read the whole discussion and I hope any of you pursued their thesis in this topic. I am currently in my last semester before thesis and I am very interested to do my thesis about the role of architecture in video games. I am more oriented towards the different perception of the same space in the real and digital worlds and how we can learn sustainable building through video games. Did any of you hear of the video game called block'hood which is a similar game to minecraft but explores the sustainable approach to urban design and how each decision could have a large scale effect on the whole city. I hope that any of you would give me a positive feedback. I am really keen on this subject but as an architecture student I feel like I need to think about the end product of this subject.

Thanks guys 

There should be a video game called- "escape the world trade center"

Sounds like an interesting idea, are you publishing after submission/grading?

i'm less interested in video games (much better things to do with your time now that you're entering adulthood; leave them behind) and more so the connection between perception of virtual environments and physical ones. perhaps there's something with the architect's ability to imagine potential environments, which themselves are analogously "virtual" before they become physically manifested?

Check out works of Jose sanchez https://www.plethora-project.c...

He is an architect and works in game development.

Look up Townscaper. It is an architect and urban designer's dream.

Timely:

My suggestion: How and why urban and interior space in videogames and film is turning out to be more meaningful and memorable than real life space and how that will possibly affect the overall human environment in the future.

I would start by how after thousand years buildings like Hagia Sophia are still treasured to the point of creating conflict between nations, move along to the shit show of nowadays spaces, compare both, give conclusions on why that happens and then add in the videogame and film spaces and compare them to the current shit show and old buildings and finally a conclusion of what to expect in the future.

Old people might be the ones who right now remember the Beinecke Library and treasure it as a building, having memories in it or of it but those of us that grew up with videogames and computers... We are going to be a generation who will remember the day we finally got to Ice Crown Citadel, all the cold and sorrow and the end of an era instead of things like the Beinecke Library (Beinecke Library who? <-- will be the meme).

Fun fact: Old people in Asia have mistaken some videogame character's statues for gods and have prayed to them.

hi everyone I read your topic actually when I searching my dissertation topic on the relationship between architecture and video games. how I tackle the problem, how I narrow it down, how to connect more architecture. pls help me asap

Hi!

I did my BA Hons thesis last year on the exploration into the use of game based design techniques in the architectural pipeline. I would be happy to share the document with anyone who is interested. I am also currently researching for my Masters into the implementation of these techniques into the architects plan of work; suggesting opportunites for game/level design skills to be integrated into the architectural design framework in the UK.