FLIGHT OF THE MAGI - CULTURAL CONTEXTS
For the development of Flight of the Magi, I have been given the role of 3D Game Asset Creator, and Map Environment artist. For topics and research on cultural significance in the game, I spoke with Alistair who is the Lead Developer and brains behind the creation of Flight of the Magi.
Alistair and I discussed during the concept stage about the cultural contexts of the wizards in the game, and how that would reflect onto the environments and game assets. We both ended up settling on a starting point for when and where this game would fit most, and thought about taking strong inspirations from the Iron Age time period. I did bring up the idea to pitch the Iron Age time period in particular as I had gotten the opportunity to travel to German where I learnt a bit about the land and medieval cultures.
From some research by Stančikaitė et al. (2009), farming persisted as the main activity of the Impiltis population during the period of prosperity dated back to about 1050–1260 AD. Afterwards, Impiltis existed as a typical agrarian settlement which may have been positively influenced by the mild climatic conditions of the “Medieval Warm Period”. A clearly marked regression of human activity coincides with the destruction of the Impiltis castle and settlement during the German Order conquest in 1263 AD. The subsequent resurgence of human activity in the area was influenced by the ensuing climatic deterioration known as the “Little Ice Age”.
To the right is YouTube Video (Old Įpiltis Mound of a Mound with a Settlement, 2019) which was used as scenic inspiration for Flight of the Magi
Old Įpiltis Mound of a mound with a settlement. (2019, May 24). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMgD5FvxF5s
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, April 1). Senoji Įpiltis. Wikipedia. https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senoji_%C4%AEpiltis
Bergstol, J. (2002). Iron technology and magic in Iron Age Norway. BAR International Series, 1061, 77-82.
Stančikaitė, M., Šinkūnas, P., Risberg, J., Šeirienė, V., Blažauskas, N., Jarockis, R., ... & Miller, U. (2009). Human activity and the environment during the Late Iron Age and Middle Ages at the Impiltis archaeological site, NW Lithuania. Quaternary International, 203(1-2), 74-90.