History Ripe For Video Game Adaptation

Assassin’s Creed III is right around the corner, and if it’s anything like the previous series installments, we’re in for an intriguing history lesson. Not counting the sci-fi conspiracy fiction thrown into the mix, Ubisoft’s flagship franchise has always captured the cultural and geographical traits that make a time period compelling. Following the course of the American Revolution and the events surrounding it, the fifth installment in Desmond’s story is touching on historical evidence largely untapped in video games.

With so many amazing time periods recreated through the medium of video games, the impending release of Assassin’s Creed begs the question: What other historical periods could video games flesh out?

Ancient Egypt

The Egyptian civilization has been a featured faction in numerous strategy titles, but few have really placed you in the iconic setting. The Old Kingdom of Egypt saw breakthroughs in architecture, art, and mathematics, but the first Intermediate Period is a compelling time period on its own.

With the fall of Egypt’s central government, local rulers were free to govern their provinces as they saw fit during this time. Warring factions emerged and, without the influence of the pharaohs, began fighting over land. This environment would be fascinating to explore in a game; Egyptian landmarks, political chaos, and the effect of anarchy on the citizens could be fleshed out in excruciating detail. 

It’s not hard to imagine a game like Assassin’s Creed set in Ancient Egypt. Seeing the Pyramids, Library of Alexandria, and the Valley of the Kings through the eyes of a local assassin would be surreal. The region is host to adaptations in city-building games, film, and novels, so why not allow players to dive into the society in an open world?

[Up Next: A Lost Civilization]

The Indus Valley Civilization

Also known as the Harappan civilization, the area consisting of present day Pakistan and India was one of the earliest urban societies. As the largest ancient civilization, the culture of the Indus Valley paved the way for pottery, jewelry, advanced trade networks, and city-building. What’s interesting about this era though, is the fact that no one knows exactly what led to its collapse.

Theories of military conquest, flooding, and deforestation have all been considered, but there is no accepted answer for the decline of one of the largest ancient civilizations around 1900 BC. Imagine if a developer could capture the culture of the Indus Valley people based on archaeological evidence; the possibilities are staggering. This backdrop is not cemented in a multitude of historical facts like most period pieces, giving developers the opportunity to flesh out a largely forgotten time period.

Immersing yourself in an environment destined to collapse is a compelling idea. Exploring cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro when you know they’re inevitably going to disappear could invest you even more in the citizens and landmarks surrounding you. This would be more than just a period piece game, extending into the realm of great storytelling.

A Succession Of Invasions In Britain 

Games have consistently depicted historical wars in their stories. Britain has been the unfortunate target of invasion more than once. Aside from tin and dyes, there weren’t many valuable resources to be gained from domination, but the Isles happen to be located in a convenient location for several other nations. Much to the chagrin of the Isles’ inhabitants, the Roman Empire sought to take control of Britain in their quest for expansion in early 1st century AD. Subsequently, the Vikings from the north and Germanic tribes from the Southeast were searching for farmland and escaping the Huns’ invasion, respectively, when they set their sights on the British Isles. 

While the constant warfare could undoubtedly set the stage for an action or strategy game, the intermingling cultures of several different peoples are what make this time period compelling. The already established Celtic culture – which had slowly made its way from neighboring Ireland – meshed with Roman traditions once the empire took over control, creating a melting pot like the ones so many period pieces have recreated. It was a series of cultural changes that came and went while simultaneously leaving their mark. Exploring this amalgam of different beliefs, customs, and languages in a virtual world would be fascinating, especially given the untapped potential of the setting. 

Period pieces aside, how about an action game with a Kratos-like character based around Roman or Celtic gods? Greek mythology has been explored to great success before, and RTS games have touched on British history, so why not let our imaginations wander? 

[Up Next: A Dramatic Shift]

The French Revolution

Over the course of a decade, France underwent changes rivaling those of the American Revolution. In a dramatic shift from aristocracy to a republic, the monarchy was overthrown by groups seeking equality in the late 18th century. The following Reign of Terror gave rise to the infamous guillotine executions and the execution of King Louis XVI himself, setting the stage for a chaotic but intriguing setting.

Culminating with the famous Storming of the Bastille prison, a game set in the surrounding French Revolution could paint an immersive picture of a country undergoing changes. Experiencing the tyranny of the French monarchy and the following espionage of the revolutionaries would be perfect for a period piece game. Dishonored follows the path of radical groups attempting to overthrow a government; wouldn’t the French Revolution fit this mold perfectly?

If you were placed in the shoes of a rebel during the period, a video game could give a great sense of what life was like during the turmoil. Assassination missions and secretive quests would be great for a stealth game, while the horrors and economic downturn could set the stage for possible survival horror elements.

The American Civil War

The battles between the Union and Confederacy of the American Civil War have played their parts in story threads of several games. Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood, Sid Meier’s Gettysburg, and multifarious strategy games explored the conflict. The contrast between two warring factions born in the same country is a compelling dynamic, one that could potentially speak volumes about human interaction. 

A first-person game seems ideal for the time period, allowing you to see through the eyes of soldiers on either side. The violent battles, ensuing disease, and political issues create an environment that’s been largely unexplored in video game period pieces. 

Unlike most conflicts laid out in games, the Civil War defies the norm by creating a setting in which you’re fighting your own countrymen. Emotional and moral issues wouldn’t be hard to adapt to this situation, and the resulting dilemmas could lay the foundation for difficult player decisions.