IMC 2020: Sessions

Session 252: Playing the Middle Ages, II: Authority, Authenticity, and Accuracy

Sponsor:	The Public Medievalist / Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Research, University of Winchester
Organiser:	Robert Houghton, Department of History, University of Winchester
Moderator/Chair:	Liam McLeod, Department of History, University of Birmingham
Paper 252-a	Potions and Poisson: Health and Healing in Medieval-Themed Role-Playing Video Games (Language: English) Raniel Carmona Ponteras, Independent Scholar Philippines Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Medicine, Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Science
Paper 252-b	Hearing Problems: Sounding Medieval in Video Games (Language: English) Karen Cook, Hartt School University of Hartford Connecticut Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Technology
Abstract	Claims to historical authority, authenticity, and accuracy are central to the success of a diverse range of games set within the medieval period or which draw upon medieval elements. Grounding a medieval or fantasy game in a recognisably historical environment may promote player immersion and enjoyment. However, these appeals are often used to excuse the creation of exclusionary, misogynist, or racist spaces. Further, there is a strong argument to be made that accuracy can sometimes undermine play. These papers consider various approaches to historical authority, authenticity, and accuracy across different genres of game.