Here’s another post targeted at teens and maybe even some grownups.
A few notes. First, you make the best decisions for your family. This isn’t for everyone. It may not even be for us. Second, our house has very little screen time so we aren’t necessarily advocating for violence in media nor more time spent indoors in front of a screen; we’re just trying to make connections between family, travel, and learning. So, if you have a gamer in your family this might be something they’d be interested in. I (Dan) have not played video games since the late 80s, but if anything would break that streak it might be this.
Assassin’s Creed is a video game that recently released a version that takes place in Ancient Greece. I’ve never seen digital imagery like this before. It’s amazing. This article describes how much research and work went in to creating this magical world.
Imagine players knowing what to expect when they visit the actual Acropolis.
Or better understanding the cultural importance of Delphi before making the day trip there from Athens.
Interestingly enough, it seems that some classics academics have even taken notice, like Dr. Jones (see her related Twitter feed here). Which makes me think about what an amazing opportunity for a big kid to think about how real-world knowledge went into something as fun and entertainment-focused as a video game. Additionally, the game’s imagery shows what today’s ruins might have looked like and how they were part of everyday life thousands of years ago.
What play of games like this wouldn’t want to walk the very earth where heroes battled and plots were hatched?!
Not sure if I’ll be getting into gaming anytime soon (not sure I could even try to play this in the house with young kids) but this would be one of the first places I’d come to get started.
talk soon,
Dan
Common Sense Media family-friendly review and recommendations