Abstract

In this paper, we propose Agonistic Games (AGs) as a serious games subcategory that can stimulate critical reflection on
topics of dark heritage through multiperspectivity and unsettling play. We first discuss the emerging topic of agonism in
memory studies, and then how games can be used to support its objectives. We then discuss the development of 2 original
AGs: Endless Blitz and Umschlagplatz ’43.We explore whether these two AGs were perceived as capable of stimulating critical
reflection by collecting data from visitors to the exhibition ‘Krieg. Macht. Sinn’ at the Ruhr Museum in Germany where the
games were installed, and from participants in an online course describing the games. From analysing data collected, we
outline four factors inhibiting the capacity of AGs to stimulate critical reflection (topic, context, design, and assumptions
about games) and propose strategies for overcoming these inhibitors. Our findings are valuable to scholars, game researchers,
and designers, strengthening the foundations for the design and development of future AGs.
Original languageEnglish
Article number15
JournalACM Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage (JOCCH)
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 May 2021

Funding

Daniela De Angeli, Daniel J. Finnegan, and Lee Scott are contributed equally to this work. Daniela De Angeli and Eamonn O’Neill’s (in part) research is funded by UNREST [H2020-EU3.6 (Project ID 693523] and CAMERA, the RCUK Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications, EP/M023281/1. Authors’ addresses: D. De Angeli and E. O’Neill, Department of Computer Science, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; emails: {dada21, e.oneill}@bath.ac.uk; D. J. Finnegan, School of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University, Queen’s Buildings, 5 The Parade, Roath, Cardiff, CF24 3AA; email: [email protected]; L. Scott, School of Creative Industries, Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St Loe, BA2 9BN, UK; email: [email protected]. Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than the author(s) must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]. © 2021 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). Publication rights licensed to ACM. 1556-4673/2021/04-ART15 $15.00 https://doi.org/10.1145/3431925

Keywords

  • agonistic games
  • serious games
  • critical reflection
  • memory studies
  • agonism
  • museum games
  • multiperspectivity
  • dark heritage

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