Playing History
In Playing History: Plague the player is a boy whose mother has contracted the plague. It is up to the player to learn more about this pandemic. The game explores how to identify symptoms and corresponding diseases. It incorporates aspects of microbiology as well. The player must find scientific evidence for the causes and symptoms of the plague. It also puts the player into history as a family member, who must take care of his relatives. This look into the daily life problems of a child at the time of a plague outbreak brings history to life for players.
In Playing History: Slave Trade the player is a British slave who is tasked with assisting a trader in bringing back more slaves. The player, as in the Plague, takes on a historical role and must make decisions pertaining to the character’s life. It also raises issues of economics and ethics. The player must choose between doing his duty as a slave ship supervisor, or protecting his sister who is a captured slave. I think this is a great game for teaching about slavery and its problems, and does so from a slave’s perspective which I think is important.