IMC 2019: Sessions

Session 546: Playing the Middle Ages, I: Race, Religion, and Nationalism in Digital Games

Tuesday 2 July 2019, 09.00-10.30

Sponsor:	The Public Medievalist
Organiser:	Victoria Cooper, School of English, University of Leeds
Moderator/Chair:	Robert Houghton, Department of History, University of Winchester
Paper 546-a	Coding Whiteness: Exploring White Normativity as Design Feature in Medieval Fantasy Games (Language: English) Victoria Cooper, School of English, University of Leeds Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Medievalism and Antiquarianism
Paper 546-b	Subverting the Valiant Crusader: The Sarafan in the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (Language: English) Liam McLeod, Department of History, University of Birmingham Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Crusades, Medievalism and Antiquarianism
Paper 546-c	Historical Nationalism in Strategy Games (Language: English) John Hopley, Department of History, University of Winchester Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Crusades, Medievalism and Antiquarianism
Abstract	Issues surrounding portrayals of race, religion, and nationalism frequently form the core of controversies around modern games set in the Middle Ages. These themes are frequently seized upon by extremist groups to promote their own image of the period. However, these concepts and the heritage which surrounds them can produce rich stories and gameplay experiences, promoting new understandings of the Middle Ages and creating better games. The papers within this session address some of the positive and negative impact of portrayals of race, religion, and nationalism across a range of gaming genres.