IMC 2019: Sessions
Session 846: Playing the Middle Ages, III: Representation and Balance in Historical Games
Tuesday 2 July 2019, 16.30-18.00
Sponsor: | The Public Medievalist |
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Organiser: | Victoria Cooper, School of English, University of Leeds |
Moderator/Chair: | James Hill, Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds |
Paper 846-a | The Representation of Medieval Gender Identities in Fantasy Role-Playing Games (Language: English) Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Gender Studies, Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Sexuality |
Paper 846-b | Representing the Medieval through Mechanics: A Case Study of A Feast for Odin (Language: English) Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Medievalism and Antiquarianism |
Paper 846-c | Selected Skins: Deconstructing Race in The Sims Medieval (Language: English) Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Demography, Medievalism and Antiquarianism |
Abstract | The portrayal of the Middle Ages in games is subject to several constraints. Censorship - whether by government, developer, or fanbase - can undermine and limit stories and approaches. The need for a level playing field can distort the vision of the past. Even the nature of games as systems of mechanics can restrict the ability of creators to provide an authentic account of the period. However, the nature of games also provides a substantial array of opportunities to engage players with complex and controversial worlds to a depth seldom found in other media. The papers in this session address the restrictions and possibilities presented in a number of digital games. |