THE REPRESENTATION OF HIBERNO-SCANDINAVIAN MYTHOLOGY IN THE WITCHER 3: WILD HUNT

Abstract

In order to allow the player to participate in a more satisfying gaming experience, the need arises to develop the correct setting in the video game. Such is the case of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, developed by CD Projekt RED and published in mid-2015. The video game is based on the saga The Witcher published by the author Andrzej Sapkowski. For its part, the Polish company did not hesitate to work with historians to produce each kingdom of the Continent. Thus, in each territory, we can see how cultural elements from different civilizations and eras have been used and adapted to the needs of the videogame.

This article focuses on unraveling the cultural elements of a specific kingdom: the Skellige Islands. Its historical basis is in the Hiberno-Scandinavian people, the Scandinavian population that settled in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Hebrides, Orkney, and Mann Islands as part of the expansion and colonization process of the Viking Age. Thus, it is possible to find numerous references to both Celtic and Scandinavian mythology throughout the archipelago, allowing us to approach this historical period playfully and attractively.