Video games, history, and historical accuracy: balancing entertainment with education

Video games are becoming an increasingly popular means of entertainment, as well as learning, especially those based on historical events and personalities. However, the issue of historical accuracy and interpretation in these games remains relevant, as errors and simplifications can distort the public's perception of history. This study aims to analyze the role of historical accuracy in video games and its impact on players' understanding of history. The purpose of this study is to determine the importance of historians in the development of video games, and to assess how games approach the task of presenting historical authenticity. It also examines the potential impact of video games on education and historical interest, emphasizing the significance of accurately presenting historical facts to avoid mythologization and misrepresentation. The research employs methods such as analyzing literary sources, conducting interviews with video game developers and historians, and conducting comparative analysis between video games and historical facts. The scientific novelty of this research lies in its analysis of how video games and their historical accuracy affect the formation of collective historical memory. Unlike previous studies that mainly focused on the descriptive aspect of video games, this research aims to explore how historians can contribute to their creation by ensuring the transmission of reliable historical data and accurate interpretations. An important aspect of this study is the critical analysis of historical anachronisms and inaccuracies in popular video games. The research identifies the causes of these errors and suggests ways to improve historical accuracy in video game content. Additionally, the article addresses the commercial and cultural challenges that developers face when incorporating historical content into video games and proposes strategies to strike a balance between entertainment and education.

video games, education, historical authenticity, historical reliability, historical informatics, historical accuracy, history, computer games, mythologization, training