Interpreting and Animating the Tāwhaki Myth Cycle in a Video Game

Abstract

This exegesis explores the ways in which the Tāwhaki myths may be interpreted in a video game. The Tāwhaki myths were chosen because of their relative obscurity in the modern era (Mead, 1996). I examine three possible ways these myths may be interpreted using digital media. I then build a video game prototype based on one of these interpretations. I conclude with a discussion about the creation process of building this prototype, focusing primarily on writing issues which pertain to the retelling of the Tāwhaki myths.