Mashing Up History and Heritage in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Issue 6 (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cole, Richard
• Other Names: Mochocki Michał guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Games and culture. Volume 17:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 915
• Page End: 928
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: mashup -- cultural heritage -- historical video games -- assassin's creed odyssey -- technology and culture; Games -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Video games -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Computer games -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Interactive multimedia -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 303.4834
• DOI: 10.1177/15554120221115403
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1555-4120

Abstract

This article proposes a new framework for analysing how developers structure – and players experience – history and heritage in historical video games. Drawing on the theory of mashups, this article demonstrates how historical games generate 'technocultural mashups' by cutting and pasting aspects of cultural heritage into the gameplay experience and then challenging players to further adapt this. 'Technocultural mashups', the article suggests, exploit a cultural precedent in the recombination of art, music and video, but also a Web 2.0 precedent that enables alternative modes of production, communication and consumption based on the affordances of new media. Assassin's Creed Odyssey is used as a case study to better understand the relationship between game design and the simulation of cultural heritage. By looking at fan-made trailers, as well as gameplay, paratexts and player-generated content, this article explores how 'technocultural mashups' enable players to participate in a networked historical imaginary.