User:Ottawasenators 564/sandbox/Historical Video Games

Overview
Historical Video Games have existed as long as video games have. These games focus on the illustration, depiction and simulation of past, future and present historical events. Not only do these video games portray a realistic historical atmosphere, but sold considerably well in the twenty-first century. With video games revolutionizing how video games are played, various game developers have launched franchises with varying successes. Historical Video Games are on the rise throughout the world, especially in North America as sales have increased. As scholars have stated, the video game offers far greater potential for the creation and presentation of history than any other entertainment or interactive media. "Although computer and video games may seem to be far removed from the historical narrative, both examine and form points of view about how cultures, economies, polities, and societies function." This summarizes the significance of these games in the context of the study of history.

Asian-Based Games

 * Genghis Khan (video game)
 * Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf
 * Genghis Khan: Aoki Ookami to Shiroki Mejika IV
 * Shogun: Total War
 * Total War: Shogun 2

European-Based Games

 * Assassin's Creed II
 * Call of Duty (series)
 * Company of Heroes
 * Empire Total War
 * Europa Universalis IV
 * Germany 1985
 * Hearts of Iron IV
 * Medieval Total War
 * Napoleon Total War

North American-Based Games

 * Assassin's Creed III
 * Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
 * Assassin's Creed Rogue
 * American Civil War Gettysburg
 * Gettysburg: Armored Warfare
 * JFK: Reloaded

Sales
The following chart displays the evolution of historical video games. The Assassin's Creed franchise was selected because of the variety of games produced. The following numbers are sales that occur within a year of each games release date. The symbol beside the figures are rounded numbers, as estimates range close to these numbers. Attention is required when examining the release dates and how historical games have increased in popularity. Although, not ever video game ever has seen an increase in success (sales), historical video games have consistently increased in popularity over the first portion of the twenty-first century.

Historical Considerations
The games listed above do not reflect all historical video games. Each presents a sample of the variety of historical-based video games. It should be noted that the simulation of history by means of video games is contested strongly by some historians. The common issues raised are the factual representation of characters, events and stories, misleading historical events and historical objects that exist prior to their invention (e.g. Hook-Blade in Assassin's Creed games).

Historical Video Games, while on the rise throughout the world, has faced opposition for its often-times violent and realistic conditions (e.g. killing an enemy in Call of Duty). Competing views between what should be included in video games have produced two strong sides with competing views. Since the evolution of arcade games until present-days realistic graphics of the Playstation 4 and Xbox One, video games have indeed become more effective in portraying historical messages.

Consoles for Historical-Gaming
Historical-based video games are various consoles for which the gaming community, or casual gamers can simulate history. The Playstation 4 and Xbox One are the newest consoles, both being released in 2013. The Playstation and Xbox previous generations (Playstation 3/Xbox 360) also provided experiences with a hand-held controller. The modern computer and gaming laptops provides increased graphics and enhances performance which pushes the extremes for user experiences. In the early twenty-first century, video games had poor rendering and graphics, but now the specifications of computers is technologically advanced. Computer historical-based computer games revolve around more strategic games (e.g. Napoleon Total War limited to by the controllers of consoles.