Scientists from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Bergen are combining anthropology with cutting-edge AI to create an educational video game about life in Stone Age Europe.
The University of Copenhagen-led project demonstrates how researchers can use freely available digital tools to create immersive, research-based experiences without the high costs or technical barriers that once made such efforts difficult to achieve.
For decades, museums and heritage institutions have relied on audiovisual displays to help audiences connect with history. In the past, interactive historical games were often expensive to produce, typically requiring large commercial studios to develop titles such as Assassin’s Creed or Civilization.
In many cases, visual spectacle took precedence over historical accuracy. Now, researchers say the rise of AI tools may help rebalance that relationship, making historically grounded experiences more accessible.
By combining Unreal Engine, free AI platforms, and online tutorials, the research team developed a dynamic 3D game quickly and at minimal cost. According to archaeologist Mikkel Nørtoft of the University of Copenhagen, this approach has the potential to “revolutionize digital cultural heritage communication.”
“We believe these free tools, now available to everyone, can transform how the past is communicated,” Nørtoft says. “With our research article, we provide other professionals with a practical recipe for getting started with digital storytelling—without spending huge resources.”
The game centers on the Deep Histories of Migration research project, which examines the Neolithic period in Northern Europe. It is built around detailed video recordings of two well-preserved long dolmens at Lindeskov Hestehave on the Danish island of Funen. Players explore the virtual site interactively, learning about Stone Age burial monuments through engagement rather than passive observation.
One feature the researchers believe will particularly appeal to audiences is the game’s AI-driven characters. Players can converse with two figures: a modern archaeologist and a Stone Age woman known as “Dolmen Debbie.” Previously, such characters relied on limited prewritten dialogue. With the integration of AI, however, the characters can now respond more dynamically, drawing on background narratives and archaeological knowledge provided by the research team.
The system allows characters to respond naturally in English and multiple other languages, while ensuring that all content remains grounded in peer-reviewed research. Because the platform is flexible, researchers can update the information as discoveries are made, allowing the game to evolve alongside scientific understanding.
“Our game shows what is technically possible with limited experience,” says Nørtoft. “With a little help, most people can learn to build a simple scenario with characters in just a few days.”
Researchers say this intersection of gaming and archaeology could reshape how history is shared and understood worldwide. By lowering costs and technical barriers, accurate and engaging educational storytelling may become more accessible to institutions and audiences alike.
The research paper detailing the project was published by Cambridge University Press.
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and the founder of VOCAB Communications. She currently appears on The Discovery Channel and Max and hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on YouTube and on all audio podcast streaming platforms. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton, Instagram: @BeingChrissyNewton, and chrissynewton.com. To contact Chrissy with a story, please email chrissy @ thedebrief.org.