Reading Assignment for history video game

History Module Instructions and Diary Questions

Introduction In this module, you will have the opportunity to play through fictitious games based in part on historical events and settings. In the readings, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on the games, reading into the political implications of their storylines and the history it attempts to represent. Red Dead Redemption, a story on the Wild West, will put you in the shoes of a character in the Southwest in the last days of the West. Its sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, is actually a prequel to the first game. It is set in the American West shortly before the turn of the 20th century. Wolfenstein, on the other hand, tells an alternate history where the Nazis win World War II. First, a content warning. Both Wolfenstein titles and Red Dead Redemption have a lot of violence and all titles for this module are rated M. The Wolfenstein games are especially graphic with very heavy themes. Please ensure you will be comfortable with the content in the games before choosing them. More information on content specifics can be found on the ESRB website that rates the games. If you do choose this module, you’ll find the readings engaging because they will question a lot of the narratives you see in the game and encourage you to think critically about why the stories were written the way they were. Game Choices (choose one) Red Dead Redemption/Red Dead Redemption 2 (15-20 hours). The American West has been a fixture in American culture, but which perspective is true to history? Although cowboys, duels, and bandits are popular throughout movies, much of the common perception of the “Wild West” is disputed by historians. Red Dead Redemption takes place in the final days of “The Wild West,” in the early 1900s. Venture through Texas and Mexico on this incredible adventure and ultimately learn to separate fact from fiction. Its sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, is actually a prequel. Available on PS4 and XBO, the game is set during the end of the 19th century. Wolfenstein: The New Order/Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (10-15 hours). A crazy alternative history where Germany won World War 2, players take the reigns as B.J. Blazkowicz to fight back the Nazis from their now-worldwide dominance. This game treats very heavy themes and ponders the horrendous “what if?”. How much is accurate, though? Would events transpire as in Wolfenstein if the Axis powers had actually won? Content warning: Both games feature adult content and gore. Wolfenstein, in particular, has tough thematic and story elements. Readings Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 gamers should read all of the 4 PDFs in the “Red Dead Gamers Read” content section on D2L. These files are named: RedDeadRejuvenate, MythFrontier, Heresy, and TheAmericanWest. We recommend that you do the readings before to playing the game.

Wolfenstein gamers should read all of the 2 PDFs in the “Wolfenstein Gamers Read” content section on D2L. These files are named: TheWorldHitler, and ManCastle (you only must read the first 50 pages of this reading). In addition, you should watch the pilot of the TV series “Man in the High Castle,” which can be streamed or purchased on Amazon. Reading Diary Questions Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 gamers, please answer the following 3 questions (The questions are the same for both games):

(1) In The American West, Murdoch provides several details of a “normal” person living in the Western US. Contrast the images in the reading with the images portrayed in Red Dead Redemption and in the reading Heresy. Identify at least three differences between the Murdoch book and the game, providing specific examples from each work to justify each difference. Also provide at least one difference between the Heresy reading and the Murdoch reading. (50 points)

(2) Much of the “Wild West” literature focuses on the fact that the West was a myth, exacerbated to stoke America’s imperialist tendencies. After the readings, would you say that Red Dead Redemption makes the problem worse? That is, does Red Dead perpetuate the myth that the readings claimed to have been created. If not, what is Red Dead Redemption? Is it a commentary on the myth itself? Is it a piece of fiction meant to pray on imagination? Is it meant to be historical in the first place? For this diary, please take a stand on how Red Dead Redemption specifically relates to the myth of the American West. Make sure to take 3 specific examples from the text and 3 from the game to justify your reasoning. (45 points)

(3) Should game developers be clearer about the work they are presenting? What expectations did you have for Red Dead Redemption before you began playing and did they evolve? Were you led to believe that the game is meant to be historically accurate, and if so, why did you think so? Do you think game developers have a responsibility to be clearer about the content in their games? Assassin’s Creed games, for example, warn all players that their storylines, although have elements of history, are all fiction. Should games like Red Dead Redemption do the same to be accurate? Why or why not? After reading literature on the American west, was your experience in Red Dead hampered at all? For this question, please also incorporate the Heresy reading with at least one specific example. When it comes to historical fiction, should authors do more to be clear about their work’s intent? (Minimum 3 paragraphs) (45 points)

Wolfenstein gamers, please answer the following 3 questions:

(1) After reading through Man in the High Castle or watching an episode of the show, write a diary comparing that fictional world with the one found in Wolfenstein. Name at least three differences and similarities and point to the specific examples to justify your claim. (50 points)

(2) Due to laws that existed in Germany when Wolfenstein launched, the German version of Wolfenstein was censored so Hitler does not have a mustache and looks like a different

individual. All the swastikas in the game were also removed. Do you think America should have similar laws when it comes to censoring content? If so, please justify why and what specific rules you would set. If not, please explain your position and whether you would set any line for what can be portrayed in a video game. If taken to an extreme – child pornography, for example – should that be allowed to be portrayed in a video game as well? (Minimum 3 paragraphs) (45 points)

(3) In The World Hitler Never Made, you read of several instances of fictional works carrying political agendas behind them. They were often written to advance a certain ideology or belief. Please write a diary examining whether Wolfenstein and The Man in the High Castle have political implications in the way the stories are told. Analyze what sort of message the works are sending. Cite at least three specific examples (combined) from the works to justify your analysis and write what political views they advance. (45 points)