| Session Name: | Ahistorical Accuracy: Bringing New Myths and Representation to 'Civilization' |
| Speaker(s): | Anton Strenger |
| Company Name(s): | Firaxis Games |
| Track / Format: | Design |
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| Overview: | For thirty years, the Civilization series has mixed historical accuracy with ahistorical fantasy. Players have delighted equally in recreating the Roman Empire and in sending Aztecs to the moon. A huge strength of procedural games is offering players intriguing narrative puzzle pieces, and letting them put those pieces together in their own unique way. It takes restraint on the designer's part to stop short of telling the player's story on their behalf.nnBut what happens when designers add actual fantastical elements to the game, like mythical heroes and secret societies with almost magical powers? More broadly, how can they include characters and myths from cultures that are historically underrepresented? What repercussions does this have for cultural representation, fan expectation, and the fictional grounding of the game?nnCome learn how the Civilization design team tackled these challenges amidst a transition to live ops. |
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