Balancing Playability and Historical Accuracy in Game Design – Developing the Struve Geodetic Arc...
summary
A mobile game called Steps of Struve targets ages 12+ and is developed 2020–2022 to teach the northern leg of the Struve Geodetic Arc while favoring playability. The team intentionally makes a linear fictional route instead of the fragmented historical survey, implements a randomized weather mechanic because precise local records are missing, and analyzes developer interviews and design docs using affinity diagramming thematic analysis. Small-team resourcing and timing repeatedly shift decisions and gameplay consistently takes precedence over strict historical accuracy.
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