The lights are on
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 EgyptThe 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]
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What about the Servile Wars? I'd kill a templar to see Spartacus in a GOOD video game
I would really like to see a video game (I think that the Assassin's creed series would fit this best) set in medieval Scotland, around the time that William Wallace waged war against England.
I heard somewhere Ubisoft's favorite idea of the setting of the next AC game WAS India? Probably the Indus Valley to be more specific. I think this information came from Wikipedia though...
I know it'd step on toes so its more idealistic than practical, but what about the journeys of the Twelve Tribes/Kingdom of Israel? Epic heroes, corruption, warfare, romance... I could see it most easily adapted to an RTS with potential kingdom management options. Perhaps playing through the conquests of Joshua? Or even a more matured game based on Elijah's solitary mission to slay the 450 priests of Baal? No lack of spiritual powers or fantastic occurrences there, and unique targets could lend themselves to a variety of methods from stealth and subterfuge, to locking the doors of the temple and engaging in an all out brawl. Seems like it could be a neat idea, and more direct Judeo-Christian game interpretations are by and large a small topic drawn upon despite their prolific nature in literature and film.
Good article. I want to see a WWI FPS or RTS. Most of the stuff is concentrated on WWII. A Cold War spy RPG would be awesome, as well. Death before Communism!!-Liberty Prime, Fallout 3.
Meh deserts are boring
The 30 Years War (1618-1648) would be an AWESOME place for a video game. Lot's of great stories, battles, backstabbing, intrigue, royalty etc.
I was actually expecting AC3 to be set in the French Revolution back before it was announced. I had some pretty compelling reasons why too, but now I don't remember them.
Also, I would love to see an RPG set in the Indus Valley, or in a Native American civilization. Although, the real challenge with that would be remaining respectful while still creating a good, compelling game. I'd just really love to see more games in low-tech, stone to bronze age settings. More good games based on classical mythology would be welcome too.
I would wonder how a game would treat the Bastille event... considering that only less than 10 people were actually freed from there, though certain sides wanted it to have been hundreds of political prisoners.
However, pretty much any of these times, and many more, would be cool to explore with the eyes of an ancient assassin. or maybe not just an assassin, but just a general open-world RPG, akin to The Elder Scrolls games, set in that era.