Of all the media adaptations that the ancient Egyptian setting has seen, the most interactive is definitely in video games. The allure of Ancient Egypt has long captivated the imagination of storytellers, historians, and artists. Its enigmatic symbols, grandiose architecture, and rich mythology have made it a timeless subject for creative exploration. In the digital age, video games have emerged as a powerful medium for bringing the past to life, offering interactive experiences that can both entertain and educate. For Egyptians today, these virtual representations of their ancient heritage can be a bit of a puzzle: are they worthwhile tools or are they simply forms of escapism?
The Digital Pharaohs: Video Games as Time Machines
Video games like Assassin's Creed Origins and Ankh: Curse Of The Scarab King have taken players on immersive journeys through meticulously recreated landscapes of Ancient Egypt. These games are not mere escapism; they are crafted with the input of historians and Egyptologists, ensuring a degree of authenticity that can spark curiosity and learning. Players can explore the pyramids, decipher hieroglyphs, and interact with historical figures, thereby gaining insights into the social, political, and cultural fabric of Ancient Egypt. Other strategy games like Egypt: Old Kingdom, Total War: Pharaoh and Builders of Egypt can present an insightful way of viewing Egyptian society from a top down view and role playing being an Egyptian pharaoh is a dream of many.
More Than Just Play: Educational Impacts
Research suggests that video games can be effective educational tools. They provide an interactive form of learning that can complement traditional methods. By engaging with games that represent Ancient Egypt, players—particularly young Egyptians—can develop a more tangible connection with their heritage. They can visualize historical events, understand the significance of archaeological sites, and appreciate the advancements made by their ancestors in fields like mathematics and astronomy. Assassins’ Creed Origins has a discovery tour mode that presents an educational virtual tour of Ancient Egyptian Sites as they would have been; with input from real life Egyptologists. The tour can be a great way to get started and inspired to learn more about Ancient Egypt as it is certainly a great appetizer to prime first-time learners to view Egypt in its past glory. Strategy games can also give players some insight into how Ancient Egypt was structured and how their societies worked.
Bridging the Past and Present
For Egyptians, these games can foster a sense of pride and identity. However, Assistant Lecturer Hend Tarrad, who is currently educating people on Ancient Egypt at the University of Helwan's faculty of tourism and hospitality disagrees with the efficacy of Video Games at helping Egyptians connect. She states that while it can be a great gateway format to get people started and interested, she believes that the inherently fictional and interactive nature of the games presents problems in how Egyptians are represented. She asserts that there are too many creative liberties being taken: such as Cleopatra being a villain in Assassin's Creed Origins , and that these creative liberties are too much to bear. She also has a problem with Egyptians having to look to foreigners for education; while it may be what is most available, Egyptians should look to our own ancient sources to learn more about their past. Moreover, the exotic way foreigners present Ancient Egypt can present massive bias issues that would not be prevalent if an Egyptian reviewed his own past.
Conclusion: A New Dawn for Historical Engagement
As technology advances, the potential for video games to serve as educational platforms will only grow. For Egyptians, and indeed for all who wish to learn about the ancient world, video games offer a unique and compelling way to connect with history. They are not just games; they are virtual museums and libraries that can inspire a lifelong journey of discovery, but at the end of the day they are still media formats with their own massive limitations that cause them to be at best pop history. In conclusion, video games that incorporate elements of Ancient Egypt not only provide entertainment but also serve as an inspiration to connect modern Egyptians with their rich heritage; however, it is not nearly enough to consider them to be actual learning tools . Through these interactive experiences, players can gain a greater appreciation for the history and see the ancient world with a time breaking looking glass.