ML 305

Medievalism in Video Games

The Middle Ages have served as a source of inspiration for video games since the earliest days of the medium. Today, medievalist elements can be observed in everything from blockbuster to mobile freemium games. This course will examine medievalism in gaming on narrative, aesthetic, and cultural levels. Topics will include the direct use of medieval history in strategy games; the influence of medieval literary genres on game narratives; the representation of medieval art, architecture, and other elements of culture in the design of game worlds; and the influence of class, religion, and gender on gamers’ perception of medieval authenticity. Exclusions: ML300X.