Historical Games Network
@historygamesnet.bsky.social
HGN brings together academics, game makers and other cultural and heritage workers to explore the relationship between history and games of all kinds || historicalgames.net
Pinned
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
We’ve edited a thing! Writing Game Histories is an accessible entry point to historical game studies, coming from Bloomsbury in 2026. Our contributors are a brilliant bunch of people who have worked with us through the HGN over the last few years. Check it out ⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Historical Games Network
Some Sunday ready over on the HGN blog! Today’s new post from @xurvermilion.bsky.social explores the potential of videogames as a way of engaging students with historical research, and key skills in critical analysis:
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
Why should students care about historymaking in videogames? | Historical Games Network
We might spend time exploring zora monoliths in Breath of the Wild’s (2017) Hyrule and the tales they speak around kings of old, or snooping through an item’s description (such as a holy great sword, ...
www.historicalgames.net
November 23, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Some Sunday ready over on the HGN blog! Today’s new post from @xurvermilion.bsky.social explores the potential of videogames as a way of engaging students with historical research, and key skills in critical analysis:
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
Reposted by Historical Games Network
Ya es oficial, mi primer artículo por fin ha sido publicado en @historygamesnet.bsky.social. Quizás pueda ser demasiado sencillo y desde luego me falta mucha práctica al respecto, pero estoy contentísimo de haber dado un primer pasito por lo menos. Ojalá os guste tanto como a mí redactarlo!
Some Sunday ready over on the HGN blog! Today’s new post from @xurvermilion.bsky.social explores the potential of videogames as a way of engaging students with historical research, and key skills in critical analysis:
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
Why should students care about historymaking in videogames? | Historical Games Network
We might spend time exploring zora monoliths in Breath of the Wild’s (2017) Hyrule and the tales they speak around kings of old, or snooping through an item’s description (such as a holy great sword, ...
www.historicalgames.net
November 23, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Ya es oficial, mi primer artículo por fin ha sido publicado en @historygamesnet.bsky.social. Quizás pueda ser demasiado sencillo y desde luego me falta mucha práctica al respecto, pero estoy contentísimo de haber dado un primer pasito por lo menos. Ojalá os guste tanto como a mí redactarlo!
Reposted by Historical Games Network
Made my day to read this great post and see this!
November 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Made my day to read this great post and see this!
Some Sunday ready over on the HGN blog! Today’s new post from @xurvermilion.bsky.social explores the potential of videogames as a way of engaging students with historical research, and key skills in critical analysis:
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
Why should students care about historymaking in videogames? | Historical Games Network
We might spend time exploring zora monoliths in Breath of the Wild’s (2017) Hyrule and the tales they speak around kings of old, or snooping through an item’s description (such as a holy great sword, ...
www.historicalgames.net
November 23, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Some Sunday ready over on the HGN blog! Today’s new post from @xurvermilion.bsky.social explores the potential of videogames as a way of engaging students with historical research, and key skills in critical analysis:
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
www.historicalgames.net/students-his...
Reposted by Historical Games Network
Exciting news!
Some of the most creative voices in the field have contributed to this volume.
#gamingthepast #historygames
Some of the most creative voices in the field have contributed to this volume.
#gamingthepast #historygames
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Exciting news!
Some of the most creative voices in the field have contributed to this volume.
#gamingthepast #historygames
Some of the most creative voices in the field have contributed to this volume.
#gamingthepast #historygames
Just a reminder that this call is open if the overlap of history, fiction and games is your thing!
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Call for Contributions - Fictions | Historical Games Network
Our theme of Fictions started with a HGN | IWM panel at the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious Festival. You can read more about the event on the Historical Games Network blog and you can watch the ...
www.historicalgames.net
November 15, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Just a reminder that this call is open if the overlap of history, fiction and games is your thing!
Reposted by Historical Games Network
hey y'all! my questionnaire on player experience in historical videogames is now LIVE! if you play videogames about the past, we want to hear from you! edu.nl/7w3yn
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
hey y'all! my questionnaire on player experience in historical videogames is now LIVE! if you play videogames about the past, we want to hear from you! edu.nl/7w3yn
Reposted by Historical Games Network
May can't come soon enough! Really grateful to the editors for including a chapter where I discuss inter-mythological games (eg Smite, Age of Mythology, GoW). I try to explain this relatively game-specific phenomenon, and how combinations of mythic traditions construct a Western-centric worldview.
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:59 AM
May can't come soon enough! Really grateful to the editors for including a chapter where I discuss inter-mythological games (eg Smite, Age of Mythology, GoW). I try to explain this relatively game-specific phenomenon, and how combinations of mythic traditions construct a Western-centric worldview.
Reposted by Historical Games Network
Really enjoyed working on mine + @doktornick.bsky.social co-authored chapter "Autoethnography as Historical Method: A Plague Tale and Authentic Experiences of the Past" for this collection, we presented the work at DiGRA25 + loved discussing the themes + methodology. The ToC for the book looks ace!
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Really enjoyed working on mine + @doktornick.bsky.social co-authored chapter "Autoethnography as Historical Method: A Plague Tale and Authentic Experiences of the Past" for this collection, we presented the work at DiGRA25 + loved discussing the themes + methodology. The ToC for the book looks ace!
Reposted by Historical Games Network
Everything about this, including the editors and stellar contributors, looks amazing.
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Everything about this, including the editors and stellar contributors, looks amazing.
Reposted by Historical Games Network
such an honor and a joy to be included in this volume, talking (inter)disciplinarity in historical game studies and the importance of putting "current" methods in context. ain't no party like a @times-new-roman.bsky.social @docrandom.bsky.social cowriting party ‼️
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
such an honor and a joy to be included in this volume, talking (inter)disciplinarity in historical game studies and the importance of putting "current" methods in context. ain't no party like a @times-new-roman.bsky.social @docrandom.bsky.social cowriting party ‼️
Reposted by Historical Games Network
I'm delighted to be part of this volume with a plethora of awesome people. The immediate paperback edition is an additional nice touch.
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I'm delighted to be part of this volume with a plethora of awesome people. The immediate paperback edition is an additional nice touch.
Reposted by Historical Games Network
Can’t thank Esther enough for inviting me to contribute to this collection! It was a real treat to contribute to an academic book from the perspective as both a historian and a game developer.
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Can’t thank Esther enough for inviting me to contribute to this collection! It was a real treat to contribute to an academic book from the perspective as both a historian and a game developer.
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
We’ve edited a thing! Writing Game Histories is an accessible entry point to historical game studies, coming from Bloomsbury in 2026. Our contributors are a brilliant bunch of people who have worked with us through the HGN over the last few years. Check it out ⬇️⬇️
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
We’ve edited a thing! Writing Game Histories is an accessible entry point to historical game studies, coming from Bloomsbury in 2026. Our contributors are a brilliant bunch of people who have worked with us through the HGN over the last few years. Check it out ⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Historical Games Network
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Call for Contributions - Fictions | Historical Games Network
Our theme of Fictions started with a HGN | IWM panel at the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious Festival. You can read more about the event on the Historical Games Network blog and you can watch the ...
www.historicalgames.net
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Reposted by Historical Games Network
UPDATE: Got many great pitches already, most from Latin America & Eastern Europe (which makes sense given my history & previous work lol)
I really want more stories from north of Africa, Middle-East & SEA. I'm reaching out to researchers & journos there, any suggestions & connections are welcome 🙏
I really want more stories from north of Africa, Middle-East & SEA. I'm reaching out to researchers & journos there, any suggestions & connections are welcome 🙏
So, today I'm announcing a new book project... and doing a call for papers: crpgbook.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/t...
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
The Video Game History Expansion Pack – Pitch your story
Today I’m putting my money where my mouth is and launching a new project — a book focused on game history outside of the usual North American perspectives.
crpgbook.wordpress.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:28 PM
UPDATE: Got many great pitches already, most from Latin America & Eastern Europe (which makes sense given my history & previous work lol)
I really want more stories from north of Africa, Middle-East & SEA. I'm reaching out to researchers & journos there, any suggestions & connections are welcome 🙏
I really want more stories from north of Africa, Middle-East & SEA. I'm reaching out to researchers & journos there, any suggestions & connections are welcome 🙏
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Call for Contributions - Fictions | Historical Games Network
Our theme of Fictions started with a HGN | IWM panel at the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious Festival. You can read more about the event on the Historical Games Network blog and you can watch the ...
www.historicalgames.net
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Last week we hosted a discussion panel at the @royalsoced.bsky.social Curious Festival. Our brilliant speakers (incl. @chriskempshall.bsky.social @drtimpeacock.bsky.social) explored history & fantasy in games & media. Find the recording here if you missed it!
www.historicalgames.net/recording-un...
www.historicalgames.net/recording-un...
Recording: Unreal Pasts, Playful Presents (RSE Curious Festival 2025) | Historical Games Network
On 10th September 2025, in collaboration with the Imperial War Museums Institute, the HGN hosted a panel discussion event at the Royal Society of Edinburgh‘s Curious Festival 2025, in Edinburgh, UK. ‘...
www.historicalgames.net
September 15, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Last week we hosted a discussion panel at the @royalsoced.bsky.social Curious Festival. Our brilliant speakers (incl. @chriskempshall.bsky.social @drtimpeacock.bsky.social) explored history & fantasy in games & media. Find the recording here if you missed it!
www.historicalgames.net/recording-un...
www.historicalgames.net/recording-un...
Reposted by Historical Games Network
This event is happening on Wednesday! I think there's still time to book a place for either in person or to attend online and watch some very smart people (and me) talk about history and fantasy in games and media! 🗃️
We've got a bonus discussion panel event coming up September 10th! In collaboration with the IWM Institute, we're hosting this brilliant lineup of speakers for a hybrid discussion, as part of @royalsoced.bsky.social Curious 2025
Read more and register here!
www.historicalgames.net/rse-curious-...
Read more and register here!
www.historicalgames.net/rse-curious-...
RSE Curious event: Unreal pasts, playful presents: history and fantasy in games and media | Historical Games Network
This September, in collaboration with the Imperial War Museums Institute and the Royal Society of Edinburgh‘s Curious Festival 2025, the Historical Games Network will be hosting a discussion panel eve...
www.historicalgames.net
September 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
This event is happening on Wednesday! I think there's still time to book a place for either in person or to attend online and watch some very smart people (and me) talk about history and fantasy in games and media! 🗃️
Reposted by Historical Games Network
🧵 Next month, Dr @enwright.bsky.social is co-running and chairing a panel with the @historygamesnet.bsky.social and the Imperial War Museums Institute as part of the @royalsoced.bsky.social's Curious Festival.
August 12, 2025 at 11:22 AM
🧵 Next month, Dr @enwright.bsky.social is co-running and chairing a panel with the @historygamesnet.bsky.social and the Imperial War Museums Institute as part of the @royalsoced.bsky.social's Curious Festival.
Reposted by Historical Games Network
If you missed our Gender panel event on Tuesday, you can now watch the recording of this fantastic discussion here via our Youtube Channel! Featuring @verysrsgames.com @katexe.bsky.social @tesswatty.bsky.social & @ide4fix.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtP3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtP3...
Historical Games Network Discussion Panel: Gender (29th July 2025)
YouTube video by Historical Games Network
www.youtube.com
July 31, 2025 at 11:38 AM
If you missed our Gender panel event on Tuesday, you can now watch the recording of this fantastic discussion here via our Youtube Channel! Featuring @verysrsgames.com @katexe.bsky.social @tesswatty.bsky.social & @ide4fix.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtP3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtP3...
If you missed our Gender panel event on Tuesday, you can now watch the recording of this fantastic discussion here via our Youtube Channel! Featuring @verysrsgames.com @katexe.bsky.social @tesswatty.bsky.social & @ide4fix.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtP3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtP3...
Historical Games Network Discussion Panel: Gender (29th July 2025)
YouTube video by Historical Games Network
www.youtube.com
July 31, 2025 at 11:38 AM
If you missed our Gender panel event on Tuesday, you can now watch the recording of this fantastic discussion here via our Youtube Channel! Featuring @verysrsgames.com @katexe.bsky.social @tesswatty.bsky.social & @ide4fix.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtP3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtP3...
Reposted by Historical Games Network
I appreciated being able to play a historical character who shouts “stick it where the sun don’t shine you bitter old sow!”
Hob’s Barrow is the best.
Hob’s Barrow is the best.
New on the HGN blog: Gender panel guest speaker @katexe.bsky.social explores the widespread lack of engagement with “women’s histories” in historical video games, & discusses some examples that do represent women’s stories more meaningfully:
www.historicalgames.net/womens-histo...
www.historicalgames.net/womens-histo...
Women’s Histories in Historical Games | Historical Games Network
There are staggering problems with historical games’ representation of women. Based on an analysis of games with identifiable protagonists from the HistoriaGames database, less than 7% of historical g...
www.historicalgames.net
July 31, 2025 at 11:21 AM
I appreciated being able to play a historical character who shouts “stick it where the sun don’t shine you bitter old sow!”
Hob’s Barrow is the best.
Hob’s Barrow is the best.
Reposted by Historical Games Network
Fantastic discussion of gender and historical games with @leandrowallace.bsky.social , @verysrsgames.com and @tesswatty.bsky.social this afternoon, thanks very much to @historygamesnet.bsky.social for hosting us and everyone who came and participated!
July 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Fantastic discussion of gender and historical games with @leandrowallace.bsky.social , @verysrsgames.com and @tesswatty.bsky.social this afternoon, thanks very much to @historygamesnet.bsky.social for hosting us and everyone who came and participated!
New blog post! Our final panelist for this afternoon's Gender theme, Leandro Wallace reflects on how we think about and engage with gendered play spaces in and around video games, and what we can do to create welcoming and diverse ones:
www.historicalgames.net/what-we-play/
www.historicalgames.net/what-we-play/
What we play: Chatting about History, Gender, and Videogames | Historical Games Network
Videogames offer us the possibility to create spaces to enjoy and engage with in ways that approach the past visually and interactively. We can play with history, and we can play to do history. But pl...
www.historicalgames.net
July 29, 2025 at 1:44 PM
New blog post! Our final panelist for this afternoon's Gender theme, Leandro Wallace reflects on how we think about and engage with gendered play spaces in and around video games, and what we can do to create welcoming and diverse ones:
www.historicalgames.net/what-we-play/
www.historicalgames.net/what-we-play/