Esther Wright
@enwright.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Digital History @ Cardiff University. Historical video game marketing & Rockstar Games researcher. Co-convenor: @historygamesnet [She/her]. 🏴
Pinned
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Reposted by Esther Wright
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Reposted by Esther Wright
hey y'all! my questionnaire on player experience in historical videogames is now LIVE! if you play videogames about the past, we want to hear from you! edu.nl/7w3yn
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
hey y'all! my questionnaire on player experience in historical videogames is now LIVE! if you play videogames about the past, we want to hear from you! edu.nl/7w3yn
Reposted by Esther Wright
I'm delighted to be part of this volume with a plethora of awesome people. The immediate paperback edition is an additional nice touch.
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I'm delighted to be part of this volume with a plethora of awesome people. The immediate paperback edition is an additional nice touch.
Reposted by Esther Wright
such an honor and a joy to be included in this volume, talking (inter)disciplinarity in historical game studies and the importance of putting "current" methods in context. ain't no party like a @times-new-roman.bsky.social @docrandom.bsky.social cowriting party ‼️
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
such an honor and a joy to be included in this volume, talking (inter)disciplinarity in historical game studies and the importance of putting "current" methods in context. ain't no party like a @times-new-roman.bsky.social @docrandom.bsky.social cowriting party ‼️
Reposted by Esther Wright
Everything about this, including the editors and stellar contributors, looks amazing.
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Everything about this, including the editors and stellar contributors, looks amazing.
Reposted by Esther Wright
Can’t thank Esther enough for inviting me to contribute to this collection! It was a real treat to contribute to an academic book from the perspective as both a historian and a game developer.
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Can’t thank Esther enough for inviting me to contribute to this collection! It was a real treat to contribute to an academic book from the perspective as both a historian and a game developer.
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
I think this book is going to be an essential one for anyone interested in historical game studies
Reposted by Esther Wright
Really enjoyed working on mine + @doktornick.bsky.social co-authored chapter "Autoethnography as Historical Method: A Plague Tale and Authentic Experiences of the Past" for this collection, we presented the work at DiGRA25 + loved discussing the themes + methodology. The ToC for the book looks ace!
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Really enjoyed working on mine + @doktornick.bsky.social co-authored chapter "Autoethnography as Historical Method: A Plague Tale and Authentic Experiences of the Past" for this collection, we presented the work at DiGRA25 + loved discussing the themes + methodology. The ToC for the book looks ace!
Reposted by Esther Wright
May can't come soon enough! Really grateful to the editors for including a chapter where I discuss inter-mythological games (eg Smite, Age of Mythology, GoW). I try to explain this relatively game-specific phenomenon, and how combinations of mythic traditions construct a Western-centric worldview.
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:59 AM
May can't come soon enough! Really grateful to the editors for including a chapter where I discuss inter-mythological games (eg Smite, Age of Mythology, GoW). I try to explain this relatively game-specific phenomenon, and how combinations of mythic traditions construct a Western-centric worldview.
Reposted by Esther Wright
We’ve edited a thing! Writing Game Histories is an accessible entry point to historical game studies, coming from Bloomsbury in 2026. Our contributors are a brilliant bunch of people who have worked with us through the HGN over the last few years. Check it out ⬇️⬇️
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
We’ve edited a thing! Writing Game Histories is an accessible entry point to historical game studies, coming from Bloomsbury in 2026. Our contributors are a brilliant bunch of people who have worked with us through the HGN over the last few years. Check it out ⬇️⬇️
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Reposted by Esther Wright
I wrote about historical fiction and romantic visions of the past in this year's videogames. Read it below!
Ghost of Yotei, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Mafia: The Old Country each, to different degrees, complicate our vision of the past.
Ghost Of Yotei And Other Historical Games Are Rewriting Old Myths
Ghost of Yotei, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Mafia: The Old Country each, to different degrees, complicate our vision of the past
kotaku.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I wrote about historical fiction and romantic visions of the past in this year's videogames. Read it below!
Reposted by Esther Wright
UPDATE: Got many great pitches already, most from Latin America & Eastern Europe (which makes sense given my history & previous work lol)
I really want more stories from north of Africa, Middle-East & SEA. I'm reaching out to researchers & journos there, any suggestions & connections are welcome 🙏
I really want more stories from north of Africa, Middle-East & SEA. I'm reaching out to researchers & journos there, any suggestions & connections are welcome 🙏
So, today I'm announcing a new book project... and doing a call for papers: crpgbook.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/t...
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
The Video Game History Expansion Pack – Pitch your story
Today I’m putting my money where my mouth is and launching a new project — a book focused on game history outside of the usual North American perspectives.
crpgbook.wordpress.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:28 PM
UPDATE: Got many great pitches already, most from Latin America & Eastern Europe (which makes sense given my history & previous work lol)
I really want more stories from north of Africa, Middle-East & SEA. I'm reaching out to researchers & journos there, any suggestions & connections are welcome 🙏
I really want more stories from north of Africa, Middle-East & SEA. I'm reaching out to researchers & journos there, any suggestions & connections are welcome 🙏
Reposted by Esther Wright
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Grand Theft Auto’ Studio Accused of Union Busting After Firings
Union says 30 and 40 people were terminated. Rockstar Games’ parent company cites ‘gross misconduct’
www.bloomberg.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Esther Wright
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Call for Contributions - Fictions | Historical Games Network
Our theme of Fictions started with a HGN | IWM panel at the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious Festival. You can read more about the event on the Historical Games Network blog and you can watch the ...
www.historicalgames.net
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We're happy to announce the call for contributions for our new HGN theme: Fictions! Following a successful event last month, this theme explores the relationship between history and fiction in games, and how they shape each other.
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
www.historicalgames.net/call-for-con...
#gamestudies #gamingthepast
Reposted by Esther Wright
I’m over here trying to enjoy PSLF and this comes across my screen. Sigh. IGN claims his classes are “a world first.” FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, EVERYONE!!!! NEVER BEEN DONE BY ANYONE EVER!!!!
Meanwhile, I and many others have been doing this for a decade or more.
Meanwhile, I and many others have been doing this for a decade or more.
University of Tennessee students will have the chance to study up on the Grand Theft Auto franchise in 2026. The class will be led by history professor Tore Olsson, the same educator that taught a Red Dead Redemption class in 2021. bit.ly/47StbPi
September 19, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I’m over here trying to enjoy PSLF and this comes across my screen. Sigh. IGN claims his classes are “a world first.” FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, EVERYONE!!!! NEVER BEEN DONE BY ANYONE EVER!!!!
Meanwhile, I and many others have been doing this for a decade or more.
Meanwhile, I and many others have been doing this for a decade or more.
Historians (rightly) get annoyed when other academics weigh in on their subject & claim to have “solved” or “completed” history, ignoring existing research & nuance. Yet historians keep weighing in on games as if no one has ever paid attention to them before (& it’s not great)
Another 👀 passage in @enwright.bsky.social's review, pointing out how the book is at odds with... scholarship it doesn't cite... all the while praising RDR's treatment of the history of the US West.
![Existing academic work treats Red Dead as, to borrow Soraya Murray’s label, a “difficult object” (Red Dead Redemption: History, Myth, and Violence in the Video Game West [2023], 207). Red Dead’s History is largely positive about the way the games engage with and represent the diversity of Western history. The author praises the “pains that Rockstar [. . .] took to capture the world of the late 1800s,” and claims that “the video games frequently excel in showcasing the contours not only of outlaw life but also of American life” (2). This perspective is not without merit—the game is indeed impressive and richly detailed. Historians will naturally disagree when it comes to interpreting their sources, as the author notes. But claims that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game that meaningfully engages with any other historical perspective than that of white men are at odds with existing critical writing on this game (popular and academic), particularly where the game deals with the presence and stories of women, Native Americans, and Black Americans. This is one area where, at the very least, acknowledging the existence of other work in this field was warranted.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7mpwyqkv2tdiho653oyczicd/bafkreickl2htheohnfajlomp4kpowipjc5apigmx6minm74rf7fy4ebxze@jpeg)
September 16, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Historians (rightly) get annoyed when other academics weigh in on their subject & claim to have “solved” or “completed” history, ignoring existing research & nuance. Yet historians keep weighing in on games as if no one has ever paid attention to them before (& it’s not great)
Reposted by Esther Wright
Last week we hosted a discussion panel at the @royalsoced.bsky.social Curious Festival. Our brilliant speakers (incl. @chriskempshall.bsky.social @drtimpeacock.bsky.social) explored history & fantasy in games & media. Find the recording here if you missed it!
www.historicalgames.net/recording-un...
www.historicalgames.net/recording-un...
Recording: Unreal Pasts, Playful Presents (RSE Curious Festival 2025) | Historical Games Network
On 10th September 2025, in collaboration with the Imperial War Museums Institute, the HGN hosted a panel discussion event at the Royal Society of Edinburgh‘s Curious Festival 2025, in Edinburgh, UK. ‘...
www.historicalgames.net
September 15, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Last week we hosted a discussion panel at the @royalsoced.bsky.social Curious Festival. Our brilliant speakers (incl. @chriskempshall.bsky.social @drtimpeacock.bsky.social) explored history & fantasy in games & media. Find the recording here if you missed it!
www.historicalgames.net/recording-un...
www.historicalgames.net/recording-un...
Reposted by Esther Wright
For those who missed this wonderful event and discussion, it's now available in YouTube form! www.youtube.com/live/blXnnwc...
🗃️
🗃️
September 12, 2025 at 9:49 AM
For those who missed this wonderful event and discussion, it's now available in YouTube form! www.youtube.com/live/blXnnwc...
🗃️
🗃️
Reposted by Esther Wright
This event is happening on Wednesday! I think there's still time to book a place for either in person or to attend online and watch some very smart people (and me) talk about history and fantasy in games and media! 🗃️
We've got a bonus discussion panel event coming up September 10th! In collaboration with the IWM Institute, we're hosting this brilliant lineup of speakers for a hybrid discussion, as part of @royalsoced.bsky.social Curious 2025
Read more and register here!
www.historicalgames.net/rse-curious-...
Read more and register here!
www.historicalgames.net/rse-curious-...
RSE Curious event: Unreal pasts, playful presents: history and fantasy in games and media | Historical Games Network
This September, in collaboration with the Imperial War Museums Institute and the Royal Society of Edinburgh‘s Curious Festival 2025, the Historical Games Network will be hosting a discussion panel eve...
www.historicalgames.net
September 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
This event is happening on Wednesday! I think there's still time to book a place for either in person or to attend online and watch some very smart people (and me) talk about history and fantasy in games and media! 🗃️
Reposted by Esther Wright
This sort of thing came up again in conversation today.
I do not believe that UK universities (as institutions) are fully preparing their PhD students and staff for non-academic life & options.
I will happily come and talk to students & staff about my experiences & tips etc if universites pay me 🗃️
I do not believe that UK universities (as institutions) are fully preparing their PhD students and staff for non-academic life & options.
I will happily come and talk to students & staff about my experiences & tips etc if universites pay me 🗃️
Little sneak preview of a workshop I’ll be giving at the University of Winchester next week. 🗃️
September 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
This sort of thing came up again in conversation today.
I do not believe that UK universities (as institutions) are fully preparing their PhD students and staff for non-academic life & options.
I will happily come and talk to students & staff about my experiences & tips etc if universites pay me 🗃️
I do not believe that UK universities (as institutions) are fully preparing their PhD students and staff for non-academic life & options.
I will happily come and talk to students & staff about my experiences & tips etc if universites pay me 🗃️
I made this today to (less eloquently) express the same feeling (of rage):
August 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I made this today to (less eloquently) express the same feeling (of rage):
Reposted by Esther Wright
Last week we hosted the fantastic Otherworldly Entertainment conference on horror, gothic & occult themed videogames @ucph.bsky.social. It was such an inspiring event with so many great talks incl. keynotes by @enwright.bsky.social & @kirstinmills.bsky.social. Thanks to everyone who participated!
a group of cartoon characters standing under a sign that says thank you
ALT: a group of cartoon characters standing under a sign that says thank you
media.tenor.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Last week we hosted the fantastic Otherworldly Entertainment conference on horror, gothic & occult themed videogames @ucph.bsky.social. It was such an inspiring event with so many great talks incl. keynotes by @enwright.bsky.social & @kirstinmills.bsky.social. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Reposted by Esther Wright
🧵 Next month, Dr @enwright.bsky.social is co-running and chairing a panel with the @historygamesnet.bsky.social and the Imperial War Museums Institute as part of the @royalsoced.bsky.social's Curious Festival.
August 12, 2025 at 11:22 AM
🧵 Next month, Dr @enwright.bsky.social is co-running and chairing a panel with the @historygamesnet.bsky.social and the Imperial War Museums Institute as part of the @royalsoced.bsky.social's Curious Festival.
Reposted by Esther Wright
Sooo I guess I now get to say that I am one of the writers working on this incredibly cool game 🎉
😈 Announcing Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists, a procedural narrative RPG by A Sharp @radiofreelunch.bsky.social and published by us!
▶ Wishlist the game now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3794210/...
▶ Wishlist the game now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3794210/...
August 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Sooo I guess I now get to say that I am one of the writers working on this incredibly cool game 🎉
Reposted by Esther Wright
History hidden in plain sight in RDR2! And how John Williams's excellent novel Butcher's Crossing influenced the game, especially Dutch Van der Linde.
readdead.com/2025/08/06/t...
readdead.com/2025/08/06/t...
They Don’t Want Folk Like Us No More: Butcher’s Crossing and RDR2
The Western novel by John Williams that helped inspire RDR2. Plus, the game's secret monument to the Civil War.
readdead.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
History hidden in plain sight in RDR2! And how John Williams's excellent novel Butcher's Crossing influenced the game, especially Dutch Van der Linde.
readdead.com/2025/08/06/t...
readdead.com/2025/08/06/t...