Historical Game Studies: Reconstructing the past through virtuality

Abstract

This research addresses the topic of Historical Game Studies, a historiographical approach that allows us to understand the way in which history is disseminated through video games. We present a brief explanation of public history and its relationship with this technique. Then, three historical video games are analyzed using elements specific to Historical Game Studies: historical event, space, time, historical narrative, characters, verisimilitude, realistic and conceptual simulations, ideology, and transmission of the relationship between violence and war. These games are Medal of Honor Frontline, Call of Duty WWII, and Sudden Strike 4. Their plots are put into dialogue and comparisons are drawn between these and actual historical events. The study also reflects on and analyzes the ideological intentions that development companies imprint on video games, and the emotional scope that they can transmit through their war scenes, highlighting the rawness and the meaning of war.  One of the main conclusions of the work is that World War II scenarios are in great demand when it comes to developing a historical video game, because that event caused a great impact on society. As such, this type of plot is heavy on tension and action.