It’s often noted that men have a more prominent role as historical video game protagonists than women. It’s a trend that, strangely enough, continues despite the notable women that have speckled history with their crucial influence. Though the prevalence of female protagonists has increased since the introduction of character customization, historical games still tend to lack that diversity. As we pondered the future of historical gaming as a means of telling women stories, I couldn’t help but consider the notable women of history that deserve to shine in their own game.
Here are just a handful of those that I compiled.
Joan of Arc
Technically speaking, Joan of Arc already appeared in her own game, with the release of the Dynasty Warriors-inspired action-RPG Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc (2004). However, It was a brief spell in the spotlight that few gamers likely remember, and we would love to see a newer game starring the young Maid of Orleans. Picture a title that could give players a more modern, cinematic look at the young warrior and her incredible story. Joan of Arc is one of history’s most famous women, and being able to see her story properly told through an interactive medium would fill a considerable gap. The game could easily work as an open-world RPG similar to something like The Witcher or The Elder Scrolls, but with a more narrowed focus on Joan of Arc and her true-life story.
It’s been proven time and time again that video games are an excellent medium for storytelling, and games set during the medieval ages are one of the most popular. Therefore, it would make perfect sense for Joan of Arc to get a AAA game of this style.
Olympias
A bit less known than some of the other historical figures on this list, Olympias was one of the seven wives of Philip II of Macedonia and was the mother of the famous Alexander the Great. Olympias is known as one of the greatest women warriors in Ancient history, with her defying much of Ancient Greek’s laws and participating in Greek politics. She was by no means a saint, however, as she was an incredibly ruthless and violent ruler. Olympias seized power after the death of Alexander and had many of her enemies killed before her death.
Though she was by no means a great person, Olympias was notable for being a strong female leader in a time and culture where women were largely seen as inferior to men. Ancient Greece has been seen before in gaming, however, players very rarely see it through the perspective of a woman. An entire game played as Olympias could introduce a younger audience to a Grecian figure that’s often glanced over and forgotten.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh of Egypt, as well as the last of the Ptolemy dynasty of Egyptian rulers. An entire video game starring Cleopatra would undoubtedly make for an interesting one, as gamers haven’t really seen many games delve deep into Ancient Egypt from a ruler’s perspective. It’s true that gamers recently immersed themselves in the North African civilization in Assassin’s Creed Origins, but an entire game starring Cleopatra could prove to be something entirely unique and different. Not to mention, a game with Cleopatra at front and center could also feature Marc Antony and Julius Caesar, two other notable historical figures. We’d be interested to see how a game starring these characters could pan out, as there certainly is a lot of potential here.
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart became famous for being the very first woman to become an aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, set several different records, and even played a major role in the formation of the Ninety-Nines, which was an organization for female pilots. Amelia Earhart is one of the most influential women throughout all of history, and a video game devoted to her would be a great way of honoring her legacy.
If there was a game created about her, a piloting sim would make perfect sense. The title’s gameplay could largely consist of flying various aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s and chronicle her life leading up to her disappearance. Obviously, the game would also need to handle her disappearance and presumed death with great care in order to honor her image properly.
These are just a few women of history that we’d love to see star in their own video games, but there are plenty more that are also well deserving. What historical figure would you like to see in a video game? Let us know down in the comments.
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At Epoch Xperience, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch Xperience’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.
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(This article is credited to Ben Price. For as long as he can remember, Ben has always loved playing, discussing, and writing about video games. Since receiving his B.A. in English, he now writes about them for a living.)