Umm … Julian,

Why computer-based historical games, but not manual games?
Manual games are no less realistic, and they are more educational,
since you can see (and critique) how they are put together and how the
historical variables are weighted and inter-related. Indeed, the
“cribbing” that goes into some computer games by the designers and
programmers often produces antihistorical results and absurdities.

I realize computers’ arcade graphics and/or number/detail crunching
have lead many people to *assume* they have “historicity,” but any
simulation’s overall realism is basically determined by its assumptions
and basic mechanics … which a manual game can equal or surpass … too.

(There are other advantages of manual games as well, of course.)

Your journal sounds fascinating. 🙂 I’ll spread the word on
some other history/multimedia lists I’m on.

Lou Coatney, mslrc@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu
History-oriented webpage: http://www.WIU.edu/users/mslrc/

… featuring a free *manual* lunch-hour boardgame, “1st Alamein,”
and
cardstock model( plan)s of a U.S. Destroyer Escort, USS MONITOR,
and eventually MERRIMAC(K/CSS VIRGINIA) with simple gaming rules, so
… so that students can become familiar with the designs and history
of the “cardboard-clads” … 🙂 … and re-fight the Battle of
Hampton Roads, for themselves.

> Call for Reviewers
>
> The Journal of MultiMedia History is looking for scholars to review
> “multimedia texts,” CD-ROM software, documentary radio programs, video
> documentaries, computer-based historical games, and historical web
> sites. For the first edition of the journal, we are particularly
> interested in scholars who could review historical web sites. We are
> interested in evaluations of the presentation and academic content of
> the material (in the same way one reviews traditional printed journal
> articles other books). If you are interested in being a reviewer,
> please send your name, a short c.v., and your areas of expertise to
> Julian Zelizer at zelizer@csc.albany.edu (Subject Line: Editorial Board
> JMMH) or via snail mail to Julian Zelizer, The Journal of MultiMedia
> History, Department of History, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222.