The Interactive Pasts Conference 2: Robert Houghton
6Video presentation for the Interactive Pasts Conference 2, October 8-10 2018, Center for Sound and Vision.
Robert Houghton (Department of History, University of Winchester)
World, Rules, and Play: Digital Games and Researching the Medieval World
The potential importance of digital games to popular understandings of medieval history (and history more generally) has been demonstrated exhaustively. These games can get students interested in the period and inform their core understanding of the middle ages. They can be used effectively in the taught environment at every level of study from pre-school to undergraduate. From an educational standpoint, the importance of digital games is fast becoming undeniable: even if games are not to be used in class, an understanding of how they can shape students’ ideas about history is increasingly useful.
However, explorations into the historical research applications of these same games are remarkably sparse. Studies tend to focus on the impact of history on games or on the ability of games to present a historically accurate depiction of the medieval world. The potential impact of games on academic history is often ignored.
This paper critiques and extends the work of Spring, McCall, and Carvalho to argue that it is not only possible to represent historical research through digital games, but that the very nature of these games implies and demands the presentation of historical data, development of analysis and arguments, and ultimately the discussion and adjustment of these arguments. Leaning on Game Design and Game Study theory and using examples from games such as Assassin’s Creed, Crusader Kings II, and Mount and Blade, the piece will demonstrate the utility of digital games as historical research tools and outputs.