Fictional vernacular architecture as a worldbuilding element: Structure samples from the World of Warcraft video game

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the structures of Azeroth, the fictional built world of the World of Warcraft video game, as samples of vernacular architecture. Therefore, the scope of the study contains video game architecture, vernacular architecture, and structure samples from the mentioned video game. For the methods of the study, first, the storytelling and worldbuilding concepts are investigated. Then, the use of architecture in video games is analyzed in the light of pioneer academic studies. Moreover, the term vernacular architecture is introduced to name the structure of World of Warcraft as samples of it. The elements affecting the design of vernacular architecture samples are mentioned. Finally, in the case study, the settlements and the structures of the fictional races with distinct cultures, from the mentioned video game, are studied in detail. And in result, some unique determinations of mentioned game’s use of architecture, in both video game architecture and fictional vernacular architecture terms, are proposed.

Keywords

• Video Game Architecture
• Storytelling
• Worldbuilding
• Vernacular Architecture
• World of Warcraft