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IMC 2021: Sessions

Session 1112: The Middle Ages in Modern Games, II: Medicine, Health, and Disease in Game Narratives and Mechanics

Wednesday 7 July 2021, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:The Public Medievalist / Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Research, University of Winchester
Organiser:Robert Houghton, Department of History, University of Winchester
Moderator/Chair:Katherine J. Lewis, Department of History, University of Huddersfield
Paper 1112-a'Git gud, scrub!': Disease as a Narrative / Gameplay Mechanic and Heroic Fortitude in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
(Language: English)
Geoffrey Fernandez, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Medicine, Medievalism and Antiquarianism
Paper 1112-bMental Breaks and Coping Mechanisms: Health and Stress as Mechanics in Crusader Kings III
(Language: English)
Robert Houghton, Department of History, University of Winchester
Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Medicine, Medievalism and Antiquarianism
Abstract

Within popular media and understanding, the Middle Ages are typically seen as a dirty and backwards period; rife with disease and with a complete absence of scientific and medical understanding. Representations of the Middle Ages in modern games often follow these same stereotypes and tropes within their stories and lore, but they frequently provide more unexpected and interesting considerations of medieval medicine and disease within their mechanics. The papers of this session consider the approach taken to medieval medicine and disease within games of a number of genres.