coffeeholic
Clubman
posted 01-13-10 05:20 AM ET (US)
Hi, I'm doing a research on the effect of history-strategy games on one's historical knowledge, let me ask a few questions.
First, do you think people learn from playing games that have historical elements?
Second, how accurate do you think the historical factors of AOE? (%)
coffeeholic
Clubman
posted 01-13-10 05:46 AM
ET (US)
2 / 28
The Dark Archer // Thank you, I really appreciate your oppinion XD
Thompsoncs
Clubman
posted 01-13-10 06:11 AM
ET (US)
3 / 28
Aoe does contain some historical elements although it can't possibly be called historical accurate. I rather think people who are interested in history are more likely to play games like aoe. Of course, Dark archer is right, that for desinging some people need to do research. I was always interested in Rome's history and I already knew quite a lot about it, but when I started the Roma project I really needed to some more research, since I wanted it to be as accurate as possible. Most people however, prefer nice gameplay, so that has to be good too.
Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 01-14-10 01:35 PM
ET (US)
9 / 28
My interest in the history of humanity started when i played Age of Empires Expansion Trial.
In geberal i would say that the help files are a good starting point if you know nothing about history, of course there are a few mistakes and the information could be deeper, but remember this is a game from the 90's and for me they did a nice work.
Inside the game and playing the campaigns one could learn some details and intersting facts however there are 2 things i regret depply: The inaccuracy in some scenarios from the Ascent of Egyp campaign, specially in those where the Hyksos are mentioned, and the very shallow and generic information provided in the Yamato empire of the Rising sun Campaign.
Basse
Clubman
posted 01-14-10 01:41 PM
ET (US)
10 / 28
I've always been interested in history and somehow I just fell in love with Age of empires when I was 5 years old
Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 01-14-10 02:08 PM
ET (US)
11 / 28
5 years? i thought the game was made for people 12 years old and up :b
Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 01-16-10 12:46 PM
ET (US)
16 / 28
Inded AoE was the first RTS which included actual History facts in its conbtent. And I see it as a ignition spark, it started something for me and for some other fellas i know, here at AoEH and elsewhere.
Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 01-19-10 12:54 PM
ET (US)
22 / 28
And how about Sumerinas, Minoans and Hittites with catapults and ballistae? they were invented in Syracuse in the 4th century BC and those civs didn't make it to the iron age.
also Petrobolii in bronze age?...yeah right.
skald
Clubman
posted 01-20-10 02:51 PM
ET (US)
23 / 28
I know the original topic concerned learning about history from merely playing the game, but I must mention another factor in learning from this particular game because it has an Editor. Designing an accurate historical scenario requires you to do Enormous amounts of research in history to get the right stuff, and then more research in languages to get the right names for people and things, and then research in literature to say things the right way. I have learned a whole lot about history from designing scenarios, none of which I have submitted of course : )
Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 01-21-10 05:31 PM
ET (US)
24 / 28
good point skald, indeed it's always good to play a campaign when one know that the designer did his(/her?) "homework"
skald
Clubman
posted 01-21-10 06:25 PM
ET (US)
25 / 28
Thank you Mr. Suppy. Actually TDA already made this point, I just shamelessly stole it and elaborated upon it!
Gubbubu
Clubman
posted 04-11-10 10:05 AM
ET (US)
27 / 28
To be quite concrete, I have heard about triremes from AoE first, if I hadn't played First Punic War campaign maybe I never learnt what kind of ship it is :-).
Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 04-11-10 12:50 PM
ET (US)
28 / 28
yup AoE ignited the spark for my interest in history even tho not 100% hoistorical accurate let's remember that it was the first RTS game thatincluded real history facts.