Single Review on past events

Throughout the workshop 'Digital Games through Muddled Pasts and Modded History', a two-day event (24-25.04.24) at the Zukunftskolleg, some of the epistemological and political implications that arise from the interweaving of digital games and history were explored. Examining in particular how the decision-making process behind history-themed games is tailored between developers, narrative designers, and historical advisors, the aim was to grasp both the significance placed on historical representation within the gaming industry as well as on-the-ground aspects of production that play a role in how history-themed games are conceived. The guest list included the narrative director and one of the historians involved in the development of Assassin's Creed: Mirage, which was released in October 2023. Mirage is set in 9th-century Baghdad, and deals with controversial historical subjects such as the memorialisation of the ‘Islamic Golden Age’, the ‘translation movement’ from Greek to Arabic that was patronised by the Abbasid Caliphate, and the Zanj slave rebellion. Early-career and senior scholars who have published on different topics connecting digital games and historical motifs were also invited, with the aim of stimulating engaged debate among the participants and the wider university community.

Further details about the workshop's scope and the programme can be accessed at: https://www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskolleg/community/workshop-digital-games-through-muddled-pasts-and-modded-history/