Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, has become a recognized figure at the intersection of firearms history and video games. Thanks to his detailed analysis of in-game weapons on YouTube and a consultancy service offered by the Royal Armouries, Ferguson now collaborates with game studios to enhance weapon accuracy. He has worked with developers such as Team17, Facepunch, and Rebellion to address common inaccuracies, citing shotguns as a frequent offender.
"The most persistent [mistake] that you still occasionally see is shotguns being completely less than lethal, or non-lethal, even, at a set distance," Ferguson explained, though he notes that "I think a lot of developers have wised up on this." Games like Insurgency: Sandstorm and Red Dead Redemption 2 are highlighted for their more realistic shotgun depictions.
Ferguson, who is also a gamer, emphasizes the balance between gameplay needs and historical accuracy. He notes that even when a game studio has done extensive research, like Expression Games did for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, there are always granular details to consider. "There are lots of little tiny details, like realistic patterns of cartridge case ejection for example,” he stated, “which really don't matter to how the game is played, but if you notice them, adds to it.”
As visual fidelity in games increases, players expect greater realism. Ferguson observes that what was once acceptable in older games like Doom and Quake is now scrutinized. "I can really nitpick things, and it gets increasingly hard to actually nitpick that stuff [because the detail has become so good]," he said. He also pointed out that sometimes, realism needs to be slightly adjusted for the sake of player experience. For instance, pistol slide animations are often slowed down in games so players can see the movement, even though in reality, it happens too quickly for the human eye to perceive.
The Real Meta
Ferguson recounted his early impressions of GoldenEye 64, where the AK-47's representation, including its sound and muzzle flash, felt remarkably realistic to him at the time, despite its visual inaccuracies and one-handed handling in third-person view.
The AK-47, with its distinctive profile and curved magazine, is a global icon, appearing even on the flag of Mozambique. Ferguson considers it a literal icon, representing liberation for some and violence for others. In the Western world, the AR-15 holds a similar cultural status. He noted how the popularity of specific firearms in media, such as the chopped HK94 from Die Hard influencing GTA games, creates a feedback loop. While movies have historically influenced games, Ferguson believes this trend is reversing, with elements from games like Insomniac's Spider-Man influencing other media.
This influence extends to consumer habits. Ferguson believes that video games foster a more personal connection for gun owners than movies do, impacting purchasing decisions and even encouraging enlistment in armed services. Despite the fact that many people's primary exposure to firearms is through games, especially in countries with strict gun laws, Ferguson suggests that games can provide a foundational understanding of weapon types and their roles. "I think [games can offer weapon knowledge] in terms of how they look and their technical accuracy and maybe a little bit of an idea of what they're for. In other words, what's a rifle for versus a pistol versus a shotgun", he stated.
He also observes an increase in the depiction of historical firearms, including those from the 18th and 19th centuries, and World War I. "I think moving out of living memory has made that more of a thing," he added. "[There are] more and better depictions of guns, from my point of view as someone who studies this stuff, than ever, and [video games are] one of the best ways to get a grounding of what's out there, what's it for, who used it and what for."
However, Ferguson is quick to acknowledge the limitations. "Media can't give you a full sense of what it's like to shoot a gun, much less to take one into combat or defend a home with it or whatever. They're two separate things." He also noted that while some in the firearms community may question his focus on video games, the connection between guns and games is undeniable and will only grow in importance.
"I still meet people who don't play games at all,” says Ferguson. “Sometimes, on [the Royal Armouries YouTube] channel, we get comments saying, ‘oh, God, not more video game content.’ But I'm sorry, there are lots of us out there playing and consuming media, and that's not going away."