Popu­lar History in Digi­tal Games Between Main­stre­a­ming and Diver­si­fi­ca­tion

B Popularisation
B05

Principal Investigators

Team Member

Former Members
Tom Pinsker (Researcher)
Milan Weber (Researcher)

How does history enter digital games with histo­rical settings? The portrayal of history in games is not solely deter­mined by developers and marketing experts but emerges through nego­tiations involving players as well. This subproject investi­gates these negotia­tions over popular historical represen­tations in digital games across two dimensions:
First, through recon­structing the production processes, marketing strategies, and public discourse surrounding popular historical games, we analyze how developers, marketers, and corporate decision-makers shape the creation of historically inspired virtual worlds. These actors determine the direction of popula­rization while responding to shifts in the popularity of historical themes. Beyond producers, gaming journalists in specialist and main­stream media, social media critics, and streamers on major video platforms also influence what becomes popular. Their collective actions steer attention and frame debates. The project focuses precisely on these agendas and on the agency of involved actors as they negotiate popular historical represen­tations.
Parallel to this, an international online survey investi­gates whether historical inter­preta­tions in games are becoming rather main­streamed or diversified. Conducted over two years, this survey allows for cross-cultural compa­risons of these negotia­tions while tracking fluctua­tions in historical themes’ popu­larity within the fast-paced gaming industry. By surveying a poten­tially global English-speaking player base, the project main­tains focus on users’ perspec­tives as a crucial dimen­sion of the multi­layered process through which popular history is debated and constructed.

Veranstaltungen

Insze­nie­rung poli­ti­scher Ordnungs­vor­stel­lun­gen

Work­shop

15. April 2024
14:00 – 18:00 Uhr
Raum AH-A 210/211 (Herrengarten)

15.04.24
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Trans­fer­ring History into the Visu­als of Assas­sin’s Creed

Forschungs­werk­statt

1. Februar 2024
14:15 – 15:45 Uhr
AH-A 217/18 (Herrengarten)

01.02.24
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Popu­la­ri­zing Medie­val know­ledge in fantasy World­buil­ding

Work­shop

12th & 13th June 2023
Universität Siegen
Herrengarten
AH-A 217/18

12.06.23
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Citi­zen Science als Konflikt­feld zwischen Exper­ten- und Laien­wis­sen

Vortrag

25. April 2023
19:00 – 20:30 Uhr
Kulturhaus Lyz (kl. Theater)

25.04.23
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DIE ZWERGE - Vom Buch zum Game

Vortrag

Vortrag von Markus Heitz
17. November 2022
14:00 – 16:00 Uhr
Ort: Uni Siegen, US-C 105

17.11.22
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Popu­la­ri­zing Violence

Work­shop

15.–16. 09. 2022
15.09. | 12:15 Uhr – 19:00 Uhr
16.09. | 09:30 Uhr – 13:30 Uhr

Location: University of Siegen
Herrengarten AH A 217/18

15.09.22
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Consul­ting Schol­ars

Work­shop

07 . September 2022
9:30 – 16:30 Uhr
Ort: Vortragssaal des Museums für Gegenwartskunst
Unteres Schloss 1
57072 Siegen

07.09.22
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Erzäh­len im Impe­ra­tiv. Zur struk­tu­rel­len Agona­li­tät von Rollen­spie­len und mittel­hoch­deut­schen Epen

Vortrag

Gastvortrag von Dr. Franziska Ascher
08. Dezember 2021
18:00 Uhr c.t.

08.12.21
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Seri­a­li­tät des Popu­lä­ren: Struk­tu­ren. Sammeln. Ökono­mien.

Work­shop

Serialität des Populären: Strukturen. Sammeln. Ökonomien.
11. - 12. November 2021

11.11.21
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