| Abstract: |
According to Heritage Watch, a collaborative NGO based in Cambodia which is active in archaeological salvage work, village outreach, and education, the looting of archaeological sites in Cambodia has now reached epic proportions. Current looting activities primarily involve Bronze Age and Iron Age (c. 3500-1500 BP) burial mounds located in northeastern provinces. Perceived economic incentive and coercion of local villagers by duplicitous middle-men seeking inflated profits from the black market, and an overall lack of awareness of the significance of these sites amongst both locals and foreign visitors, furthered by a lack of appreciation of the importance of accurate archaeological excavations for understanding the prehistoric past, fuel an active antiquities trade. New laws and outreach projects have begun to be implemented in recent years, many showing promise, yet the fight against looting in Cambodia remains an uphill battle, requiring further efforts which take full advantage of current technologies. This paper will describe one such project: an educational computer game called Looter! It will be made available in both Khmer and English, and will integrate 2D and 3D art and animation, up-to-date archaeological knowledge, and easily accessible game play formats. Through introductory and interstitial animated cut-scenes and two levels of game play, the player will not only begin to understand what is known about Cambodias late prehistory, but will also comprehend the damage that looting does to all involved, and conversely, the benefits to be gained from scientifically sound excavation. The paper will discuss game development to date, its context, background and planned applications.
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