Technological development influences the way we live and interact with the world on a deep level. Technological artifacts like computers and cars dictate how our society functions and how we relate to one another. These influences are so pervasive throughout our everyday lives that it’s sometimes difficult to imagine...
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The following is a guest post from Tomas Brown. Thomas is currently a post graduate student studying Cultural Heritage and Resource Management at The University of Winchester. He is interested in the application of cultural heritage in video games, Imperial heritage and Ancient Rome. You can find him on twitter...
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This article is part 2 of a 2-part series on prison management games, and the controversies surrounding them. You can read the introductory remarks for the series here, and part 1 here. Playing Prison Architect almost always cheers me up. Is that bad? When I play the game, I’m always engaged. Sometimes frustrated, often...
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While I’m a pretty big fan of strategy games in general, historical strategy games are particularly interesting, especially from a pedagogical standpoint. As I and many of the other Play the Past authors have previously discussed, these games allow us to look at the past through a different lens than we typically get through...
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I recently purchased The Last of Us as a small reward to myself for finishing my undergrad. I had already beaten the game last summer after borrowing the game from my friend but I couldn’t resist playing it again. First things first, THE LAST OF US SPOILERS AHEAD I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Trevor Owens...
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Before I begin, a short preface. I have made it something of a personal mission, both as a researcher and writer on historical simulation games and as a classroom teacher, to crack the Civilization IV code. In other words, to find ways to make its educational value commensurate with the significant amount of time and effort it takes...
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My intention for this post was to write something specific and reasonably authoritative on how the character of Stede Bonnet as seen (as performed by means of, really) in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag differs from what we know of the historical Stede Bonnet, and what I think the difference means. That kind of analysis would...
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Collaboratively edited and authored, Play the Past is dedicated to thoughtfully exploring and discussing the intersection of cultural heritage (very broadly defined) and games/meaningful play (equally broadly defined). Play the Past contributors come from a wide variety of backgrounds, domains, perspectives, and motivations (for being interested in both games and cultural heritage). More information on all of our contributors can be found here. A full rundown of our community and commenting policy can be found here. If you are looking to get in contact with us (for whatever reason), point your browser here and drop us a line.
