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The Playing Through History podcast explores how mediums like TV shows, movies, and video games are shaping our understanding of the past. Video games, particularly the Call of Duty franchise, have become a cultural phenomenon, setting new benchmarks for storytelling and immersive gameplay. While these mediums may not always be historically accurate, they serve as gateways to the past, igniting curiosity and promoting further exploration. Historical advisors play a crucial role in ensuring accuracy and authenticity in portrayals of historical events, collaborating closely with developers to recreate historical settings. The collaborative efforts between historical advisors and creators exemplify a commitment to preserving historical narratives and educating audiences. The influence of historical advisors is profound and far-reaching, as seen in the success of franchises like Call of Duty. Their role remains vital in ensuring that the voices of the past are heard and respected in entert On this episode of the Playing Through History podcast, we delve into the evolving landscape of historical learning, particularly as the voices of World War II veterans become fewer over time. I'm Noble, your host, and we'll be exploring how mediums like TV shows, movies, and especially video games are shaping our understanding of the past. Video games have evolved from an early experiment in the 1950s to a global entertainment. In recent years, the gaming industry has undergone a seismic shift, propelled by the rise of franchises like Call of Duty, which have become a cultural juggernaut with an unparalleled reach to its audience. With each new installment of the Call of Duty franchise, Call of Duty not only captivates millions of players worldwide, but also sets new benchmarks for immersive storytelling, multiplayer engagement, and cutting-edge gameplay mechanics. The franchise's ability to adapt to changing trends reflects its commitment to staying at the forefront of gaming interventions. Moreover, Call of Duty's influence extends beyond gaming, with blockbuster releases often rivaling Hollywood productions in terms of scale and spectacle. As the industry continues to evolve, fueled by technological advances and shifting consumer preferences, Call of Duty remains a driving force, shaping the gaming landscape and defining the entertainment experiences of a generation. Iconic titles like Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros. define eras, while advancements in technology continue to drive innovation, making gaming accessible and immersive across all platforms. Historical narratives now find a new life in entertainment, with productions like Band of Brothers and gaming franchises such as Call of Duty leading the charge. While these mediums aren't always the best sources of historical accuracy, they serve as a potent gateway into the past, igniting curiosity and promoting further exploration. Renowned historian Bob Whitaker, known for his podcast History Respawn, emphasizes the pivotal role of video games in fostering historical curiosity. He believes that these games, with their immersive experiences, will carry significant historical weight, provided historians lend a guiding hand to the interested players. Adam Chapman, a lecturer at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and author of Digital Games as History, echoes this sentiment, nodding the rapid rise of historical games as a popular form of historical media. However, Chapman acknowledges that assessing historical accuracy in games hinges on the public understanding of history, rather than a strict adherence to factual detail. Creators like Sledgehammer Games and Activision, who are responsible for creating titles like Call of Duty WWII, excel in crafting emotionally resonant narratives. For example, here is a speech given by Colonel Davis, a character in the game, to his troops as they are about to storm Omaha Beach on D-Day. ...unparalleled importance to establish a beachhead at Norfolk and roll back the German aggression that has terrorized Europe for the past five years. We are all that separates the world from darkness. This is so much more than a chance to be heroes in our own lifetime. If we prevail, our triumph will be etched into the hearts and minds of a grateful world or untold generations. I'm talking about glory, gentlemen. True glory. In the game, players step into the boots of Private Ronald Red Daniels, a young soldier in the renowned 1st Infantry Division, also known as the Baby Red One. Set against the backdrop of the European theater of WWII, the game offers a gripping narrative that follows Daniels and his squadmates as they fight their way through iconic battles such as the D-Day landings on Omaha Beach, the liberation of Paris, and the harrowing battles of the Bulge. It's not only about how accurate a video game is or what characters are based off real people from that time period, it's about how visually accurate the video game is as well. The amount of detail that is put into video games like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor really aids to the understanding of how everything looks, from how people dressed to the design of a city in France during WWII or on the beaches of Japan during the Pacific Theater. Details not only include the cities that these games are based in, but the metal placements on the uniforms or the guns being used during the specific periods of war, even to the detail of what secret services were around and involved during that war. TV shows, movies, and video game companies often enlist the expertise of historical advisors to ensure accuracy and authenticity in their portrayals of historical events. These advisors, often experts in specific periods or topics of history, play a crucial role in guiding the creative process and providing valuable insight into the era being depicted. In development of a historical video game, advisors collaborate closely with developers to research and recreate historical settings, ensuring that details like architecture, clothing, and even language are faithfully represented. By working alongside the writers, directors, and game designers, these advisors help to bring life into the historical narratives, enriching the viewer or player's experience, and fostering a deep appreciation for the past. Games like Call of Duty hire historical advisors to get these small but important details completely accurate. Marty Morgan is the historical advisor that Activision hired to work on Call of Duty WWII. Marty is an expert in military history who specialized in WWI and WWII. He talks about the struggles of being able to give the best interpretation of what it was like during the winter fight for the Battle of the Bulge. He goes on to talk about how he had to fly the creators of Call of Duty WWII to Germany to see the battlefield for themselves. His only worry was because of global warming that he didn't know how much snow would actually be on the ground to give them the best image that they could, but to his surprise, it would look just like it would have during the Battle of the Bulge. Morgan then goes on to talk about how they had to make changes to the game for it to be sold overseas. Imagery and scenes had to be cut or changed so that they would abide with the laws of other countries. For example, the German battle flags that carried the swastika that hung from tall buildings in the German occupied cities had to be changed so that they bared the iron cross instead to abide with German law. Another example would be that you couldn't play as a Nazi specifically in the online version of the game, but you could play as any other soldier from any other country that was a part of the war. In conclusion, the collaborative efforts between historical advisors and creators in TV shows, movies, and video games exemplify a commitment to preserving the integrity of historical narratives. By leveraging the expertise of these advisors, productions can achieve a level of accuracy and authenticity that immerses audiences in a rich tapestry of the past. From the iconic battle of World War II depicted in the expansive Call of Duty franchise to the meticulous research sets of historical dramas, the influence of historical advisors is profound and far-reaching. Moreover, as one of the largest and most successful franchises in the gaming industry with millions of players worldwide, Call of Duty serves as a testament to the importance of historical accuracy in entertainment. Through their collaborative efforts, historical advisors and creators not only entertain but also educate, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the events that have shaped our world. As technology continues to advance and storytelling evolves, the role of the historical advisor remains vital in ensuring that the voices of the past are heard and respected in the narratives of the present and future. I hope you all enjoyed listening to this episode of Playing Through History. My name is Noble and I will see you in the next one.