Return to the Interactive Past: The Interplay of Video Games and Histories

Video games are a rich spectrum of engagements with the past, offering cultural expressions that support and influence social interactions. They educate, bring enjoyment, and encourage reflection, and are intricate achievements of coding and creative works of art. This book continues an interdisciplinary conversation on game development and play, working towards a better understanding of how we represent and experience the past in the present.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2021
Publisher: Sidestone Press

Video games have become an integral part of our modern world, offering a diverse range of experiences that connect us with the past. Beyond mere entertainment, they serve as cultural expressions that shape and influence social interactions. These digital creations not only entertain but also educate, provide joy, and encourage introspection. They are intricate masterpieces of coding and artistic ingenuity. Games reinterpret and recreate histories, spanning from personal narratives to global events, in playful and interactive digital experiences. However, the medium also amplifies our complex and sometimes confrontational relationship with the past, particularly through its overreliance on violent and discriminatory game mechanics.

This book, Return to the Interactive Past, continues an interdisciplinary dialogue on game development and play, aiming to enhance our understanding of how we represent and engage with the past in the present. It features a collection of thought-provoking writings by game creators, historians, computer scientists, archaeologists, and other experts. The authors delve into the thoughtful processes developers employ when designing games, as well as the intricate ways in which players interact with these digital creations. Building upon the themes explored in The Interactive Past (2017), the authors revisit the past to raise new and pressing questions. How can we use veterans' voices to create video games that focus on narratives other than combat? How can we reconstruct the development of old games based on their code and the limitations of historic hardware? Can hacking be a tool for decolonizing games and challenging harmful stereotypes? When archaeologists study games, what kind of maps do they create for their digital fieldwork? And how can we teach history through playing games and game-making?

Through these engaging essays, Return to the Interactive Past provides valuable insights into the world of game development and play. It sheds light on the creative processes, historical considerations, and social impact of video games. By exploring these topics, the book contributes to a deeper understanding of the past and its relevance in the modern world. Whether you are a gamer, historian, or simply interested in the intersection of technology and culture, this book offers a thought-provoking journey into the interactive past.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 230 x 302 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789088909122