News: History In Video Games - a Closer Look

[News Bot]

scruffybr writes "Whether it's World War 2, the American Wild West or ancient Greece, history has long provided a rich source of video game narrative. Historical fact has been painstakingly preserved in some games, yet distorted beyond all recognition in others. Whereas one game may be praised for its depiction of history, others have been lambasted for opening fresh wounds or glorifying tragic events of our near past. Games have utilized historical narrative extensively, but to what extent does the platform take liberties with, and perhaps misuse it?"


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

[Ze-Tomb]

Misuse it? How would a game misuse it? I see a game as a source of entertainment, not information which would make the historical point of the game the teacher. To misuse history in a game... I just wonder 'How?'.

[Dee]

So you don't think a historic event can in anyway be misused in a game?

"opening fresh wounds or glorifying tragic events of our near past"

[Ze-Tomb]

I can only see that as "misuse" if put forward so much it seems the developers revolve around it.

'Tragic Events' and 'Glorifying Wounds' are all a matter of perspective. If I am not mistaken alot of war games based on WW2 all glorify the wounds of the opposing country(ies) and highlight some of their tragic events.

[Dee]

Not many miss use history today, but that does not mean it isn't possible.

There was a game available on the Internet about a year (?) after 9/11 where you played a terrorist blowing up american soldiers.. Don't know the name of it though. It disappeared rather quickly.

[kothin1234]

Not many miss use history today, but that does not mean it isn't possible.

There was a game available on the Internet about a year (?) after 9/11 where you played a terrorist blowing up american soldiers.. Don't know the name of it though. It disappeared rather quickly.

ok it is right. so what?
it is not clear to me what do you understand us....
would you like to make clear it to me?

kothin