Epoch: History Games Initiative

Epoch: History Games Initiative is based in the History Department at the University of Texas at Austin.  Directed by Dr Adam Clulow, it aims to generate a pipeline of historically based video games for use in the classroom.  Current Epoch games include the following:

Ako: A Test of Loyalty

Imagine you're a young samurai in Japan in 1701. You have to make an excruciating choice between family and honor – either go into impoverished exile with your mother and sister who will need your help to survive, or join your fellow masterless samurai in a quixotic quest to avenge the death of your dishonored lord. Which do you choose? Ako: A Test of Loyalty takes you into the story of the 47 ronin, one of the most famous and still controversial episodes in Japanese history.

Developers: Alex Aragon, Ashley Gelato, Michael Rader and Izellah Wang

The Pazzi Conspiracy

You play as a servant in the Medici family palace in the year 1478. You will meet key figures in Florence and be a direct part of the network that ties them together. Players will learn 1) how the Medici used their network of patronage to maintain political power from behind the scenes and 2) how others challenge that power.

Developer: Haley Price