Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
@jennycromwell.bsky.social
Historian of ancient Egypt & papyrologist | games researcher (analogue + digital) | Manchester Met Uni | Co-director of the Manchester Game Centre | Trustee of the Egypt Exploration Society | Les Mills instructor | Blood Bowl enthusiast
Next week, the Manchester Game Centre has the pleasure to welcome @florencesn.bsky.social, who’ll be talking about their work on archaeology and play preservation. The talk is in person only, but anybody is welcome to attend. Details here: manchestergamecentre.org/events/2025/...
Preservation By Record: Video Game Archaeology as Play Preservation — Manchester Game Centre
MMU, Geoffrey Manton 327 4.00–5.30pm Florence Smith Nicholls (Queen Mary University) Video game archaeology, or archaeogaming, broadly refers to the study of how the past is represented in the mediu...
manchestergamecentre.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Next week, the Manchester Game Centre has the pleasure to welcome @florencesn.bsky.social, who’ll be talking about their work on archaeology and play preservation. The talk is in person only, but anybody is welcome to attend. Details here: manchestergamecentre.org/events/2025/...
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
Splendid Egyptologist @jennycromwell.bsky.social wrote about this papyrus in 2021: papyrus-stories.com/2021/09/30/d...
Death of a Slave Boy
Jennifer Cromwell Cymbals struck as festival performers wound their way through the village’s streets . But then tragedy struck. Leaning over the balcony to view the players below, a young slave bo…
papyrus-stories.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Splendid Egyptologist @jennycromwell.bsky.social wrote about this papyrus in 2021: papyrus-stories.com/2021/09/30/d...
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
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
October 30, 2025 at 11:11 PM
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 :)
This Halloween, if you're looking for protection against ghouls and ghosts bringing you nightmares as you sleep, why not check out this New Kingdom spell to protect dreamers!
New (quick read) post over on my blog:
papyrus-stories.com/2025/10/31/a...
New (quick read) post over on my blog:
papyrus-stories.com/2025/10/31/a...
Ancient Protection against Nightmares
By Jennifer Cromwell As a child, my most palpable nightmare was of being chased by ghosts and skeletons through a labyrinthine house. In desperation, I became able to travel through walls, putting …
papyrus-stories.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
This Halloween, if you're looking for protection against ghouls and ghosts bringing you nightmares as you sleep, why not check out this New Kingdom spell to protect dreamers!
New (quick read) post over on my blog:
papyrus-stories.com/2025/10/31/a...
New (quick read) post over on my blog:
papyrus-stories.com/2025/10/31/a...
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
I ran a session on PCG for keepsake games at Dagstuhl earlier this year, and as part of that @junevamp.bsky.social, @dipikarajesh.bsky.social, @mtrc.bsky.social and I made our own keepsake game, A Sending!
You can download it for free on itch: florencesmithnicholls.itch.io/a-sending
You can download it for free on itch: florencesmithnicholls.itch.io/a-sending
A Sending by Florence Smith Nicholls
Send it to someone who needs a holiday
florencesmithnicholls.itch.io
October 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
I ran a session on PCG for keepsake games at Dagstuhl earlier this year, and as part of that @junevamp.bsky.social, @dipikarajesh.bsky.social, @mtrc.bsky.social and I made our own keepsake game, A Sending!
You can download it for free on itch: florencesmithnicholls.itch.io/a-sending
You can download it for free on itch: florencesmithnicholls.itch.io/a-sending
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
We have been working intensively on the historical case study for GATE, a game that was released in 1991 on the then "ancient" #AppleIIgs. The game was less an attempt to make a lot of money than a journeyman's piece by three young men and one woman in and around Basel.
chludens.hypotheses.org/4223
chludens.hypotheses.org/4223
Curiosity and Computer Stores: Case Study on GATE (Bright Software 1991) #1
by Eugen Pfister, Aurelia Brandenburg, Adrian Demleitner, Arno Görgen, Addrich Mauch, and Kevin Negele. Additional research and editing by Corinne Hirter At the end of the 1980s, four young people met...
chludens.hypotheses.org
October 24, 2025 at 8:01 AM
We have been working intensively on the historical case study for GATE, a game that was released in 1991 on the then "ancient" #AppleIIgs. The game was less an attempt to make a lot of money than a journeyman's piece by three young men and one woman in and around Basel.
chludens.hypotheses.org/4223
chludens.hypotheses.org/4223
Ancient Egypt in Video Games is now available for pre-order!
The website says a March publication, but my schedule from the publisher says Jan (🤞). The hb version is pretty pricey, but a ppb version will hopefully be down the line!
Check out details here:
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isb...
The website says a March publication, but my schedule from the publisher says Jan (🤞). The hb version is pretty pricey, but a ppb version will hopefully be down the line!
Check out details here:
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isb...
Ancient Egypt in Video Games
This volume is the first to focus on the presentation of Ancient Egypt in video games. The contributions examine diverse topics concerning how Egyptian history, culture, monuments, and the land itself...
www.degruyterbrill.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Ancient Egypt in Video Games is now available for pre-order!
The website says a March publication, but my schedule from the publisher says Jan (🤞). The hb version is pretty pricey, but a ppb version will hopefully be down the line!
Check out details here:
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isb...
The website says a March publication, but my schedule from the publisher says Jan (🤞). The hb version is pretty pricey, but a ppb version will hopefully be down the line!
Check out details here:
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isb...
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
Come learn Coptic! In partnership with the Religion Department, I developed a two-part introduction to Coptic via close study of the Coptic Gospel of Thomas. Come learn about ancient languages and sayings of Jesus!
Part 1: Starts Oct. 27 | Part 2: Jan. 5
www.religiondepartment.com/learning-cop...
Part 1: Starts Oct. 27 | Part 2: Jan. 5
www.religiondepartment.com/learning-cop...
Learning Coptic Through the Gospel of Thomas (Level 1)
www.religiondepartment.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Come learn Coptic! In partnership with the Religion Department, I developed a two-part introduction to Coptic via close study of the Coptic Gospel of Thomas. Come learn about ancient languages and sayings of Jesus!
Part 1: Starts Oct. 27 | Part 2: Jan. 5
www.religiondepartment.com/learning-cop...
Part 1: Starts Oct. 27 | Part 2: Jan. 5
www.religiondepartment.com/learning-cop...
We ran our Manchester Game Centre 2nd annual Games Workshop Research Day on Saturday. As well as great talks, exhibitions, & chat, we had a live Blood Bowl game, filmed by Geek Pride & commentated by @wormito.bsky.social and RickWreckless. You can watch it back here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib_o...
Manchester Game Centre Presents Blood Bowl Live!
YouTube video by Geek Pride
www.youtube.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
We ran our Manchester Game Centre 2nd annual Games Workshop Research Day on Saturday. As well as great talks, exhibitions, & chat, we had a live Blood Bowl game, filmed by Geek Pride & commentated by @wormito.bsky.social and RickWreckless. You can watch it back here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib_o...
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
Had a fantastic Saturday being part of the Games Workshop Research Day in Manchester today.
First a really interesting panel on player communities & how to grow them, then an intro to Gorechosen, and finally #bloodbowk live! which was lots of fun.
Great job @jennycromwell.bsky.social & Paul 👏🏻
First a really interesting panel on player communities & how to grow them, then an intro to Gorechosen, and finally #bloodbowk live! which was lots of fun.
Great job @jennycromwell.bsky.social & Paul 👏🏻
October 11, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Had a fantastic Saturday being part of the Games Workshop Research Day in Manchester today.
First a really interesting panel on player communities & how to grow them, then an intro to Gorechosen, and finally #bloodbowk live! which was lots of fun.
Great job @jennycromwell.bsky.social & Paul 👏🏻
First a really interesting panel on player communities & how to grow them, then an intro to Gorechosen, and finally #bloodbowk live! which was lots of fun.
Great job @jennycromwell.bsky.social & Paul 👏🏻
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
📖😍🐍 I am absolutely thrilled to announce that my edited volume "The Nile Delta: Histories from Antiquity to the Modern Period" is now available in paperback AND at a 20% discount on CUP's website! 🎊
September 15, 2025 at 3:51 PM
📖😍🐍 I am absolutely thrilled to announce that my edited volume "The Nile Delta: Histories from Antiquity to the Modern Period" is now available in paperback AND at a 20% discount on CUP's website! 🎊
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT! @mahliann.bsky.social, @marcuscarter.com, and myself have combined our collective brains and written a wide-reaching introduction to the complex and interdisciplinary field of Game Studies in this forthcoming book for Polity. www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?b...
September 4, 2025 at 4:59 AM
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT! @mahliann.bsky.social, @marcuscarter.com, and myself have combined our collective brains and written a wide-reaching introduction to the complex and interdisciplinary field of Game Studies in this forthcoming book for Polity. www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?b...
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
I wrote a piece for the Guardian games newsletter this week on my PhD research into preserving play experiences, and why I think that the most archaeological games are those that that actually make you *think* like one 🏺
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...
Forget Tomb Raider and Uncharted, there’s a new generation of games about archaeology – sort of
In this week’s newsletter: an archaeologist (and gamer) on why we love to walk around finding objects in-game and in real life
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I wrote a piece for the Guardian games newsletter this week on my PhD research into preserving play experiences, and why I think that the most archaeological games are those that that actually make you *think* like one 🏺
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
Still, there's something inherently violent even about dice rolls. It's like every time you cast a die, something disappears. Some alternative ending, or an entirely different world...
August 30, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Still, there's something inherently violent even about dice rolls. It's like every time you cast a die, something disappears. Some alternative ending, or an entirely different world...
We have a cover for Ancient Egypt in Video Games! Out either late 2025 or early 2026 - will post a link with contents once it’s up on the DeGruyter website.
I’m very excited that this is soon out in the world!
I’m very excited that this is soon out in the world!
August 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM
We have a cover for Ancient Egypt in Video Games! Out either late 2025 or early 2026 - will post a link with contents once it’s up on the DeGruyter website.
I’m very excited that this is soon out in the world!
I’m very excited that this is soon out in the world!
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
If you’ve been curious about what I mean when I talk about using history in “non-historical” games, then this design diary I wrote about Amberspire will give some insights.
It’s about finding inspiration in the tension and meeting of micro and macro history
lunardivision.net/micro-and-ma...
It’s about finding inspiration in the tension and meeting of micro and macro history
lunardivision.net/micro-and-ma...
Micro and Macro History
Hello! I’m Holly Nielsen, a historian, writer and narrative designer. I’m lucky enough to be working on Amberspire, and Nic has kindly offere...
lunardivision.net
August 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
If you’ve been curious about what I mean when I talk about using history in “non-historical” games, then this design diary I wrote about Amberspire will give some insights.
It’s about finding inspiration in the tension and meeting of micro and macro history
lunardivision.net/micro-and-ma...
It’s about finding inspiration in the tension and meeting of micro and macro history
lunardivision.net/micro-and-ma...
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
LITHOBREAKERS, an anonymous artist collective, organises a biannual game jam. The latest theme was World Wide Weird 👁
Play the entries here:
itch.io/c/6217238/li...
Play the entries here:
itch.io/c/6217238/li...
LITHOBREAKERS Jam 03-World Wide Weird - Collection by LITHOBREAKERS
A collection by LITHOBREAKERS
itch.io
August 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
LITHOBREAKERS, an anonymous artist collective, organises a biannual game jam. The latest theme was World Wide Weird 👁
Play the entries here:
itch.io/c/6217238/li...
Play the entries here:
itch.io/c/6217238/li...
I’ve slowly been writing a TTRPG based on the Battle of Qadesh (Egyptians v Hittites).
I’m interested in game-making-as-research-process, so have been recording my questions, led by the requirements of the game.
Inspired by @florencesn.bsky.social I’ve been distilling these into mini zines.
I’m interested in game-making-as-research-process, so have been recording my questions, led by the requirements of the game.
Inspired by @florencesn.bsky.social I’ve been distilling these into mini zines.
August 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I’ve slowly been writing a TTRPG based on the Battle of Qadesh (Egyptians v Hittites).
I’m interested in game-making-as-research-process, so have been recording my questions, led by the requirements of the game.
Inspired by @florencesn.bsky.social I’ve been distilling these into mini zines.
I’m interested in game-making-as-research-process, so have been recording my questions, led by the requirements of the game.
Inspired by @florencesn.bsky.social I’ve been distilling these into mini zines.
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
ICYMI - Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be from @punctumbooks.bsky.social has released, featuring contributions from an incredible lineup of scholars.
780 pages of #GameStudies goodness entirely for FREE! Just one of many stories in this week's Newsletter 👇
780 pages of #GameStudies goodness entirely for FREE! Just one of many stories in this week's Newsletter 👇
The Video Game Library Newsletter - Vol. #019
The LONGEST Newsletter yet! A sarcastic amount of Video Game Book announcements, lots of community collaborations, and an awesome interview with the VGMuseum!
buff.ly
August 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
ICYMI - Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be from @punctumbooks.bsky.social has released, featuring contributions from an incredible lineup of scholars.
780 pages of #GameStudies goodness entirely for FREE! Just one of many stories in this week's Newsletter 👇
780 pages of #GameStudies goodness entirely for FREE! Just one of many stories in this week's Newsletter 👇
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
After some technical hiccups (including a broken laptop), I'm happy to annouce the first prototype of my new game, 'Galar', is available for download! 🧵1/5
#historygames #gamingthepast #gamestudies #gamedev #archaeogaming
#historygames #gamingthepast #gamestudies #gamedev #archaeogaming
Galar (Chapter 1) by Vinicius Marino
An ecological VN about the plague in Ireland
v-marino.itch.io
August 7, 2025 at 12:36 PM
After some technical hiccups (including a broken laptop), I'm happy to annouce the first prototype of my new game, 'Galar', is available for download! 🧵1/5
#historygames #gamingthepast #gamestudies #gamedev #archaeogaming
#historygames #gamingthepast #gamestudies #gamedev #archaeogaming
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
Apparently Nintendo and Epic Games are lobbying against the Stop Killing Games movement because they want Games to be licenses not property
So you KNOW the Stop Killing Games Movement is onto something
www.stopkillinggames.com
So you KNOW the Stop Killing Games Movement is onto something
www.stopkillinggames.com
Stop Killing Games
www.stopkillinggames.com
July 8, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Apparently Nintendo and Epic Games are lobbying against the Stop Killing Games movement because they want Games to be licenses not property
So you KNOW the Stop Killing Games Movement is onto something
www.stopkillinggames.com
So you KNOW the Stop Killing Games Movement is onto something
www.stopkillinggames.com
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
I would be grateful for your help! I agreed to write an overview of political studies in digital games for the @akgwds.bsky.social. Apart from usual suspects (Bevc and Sicart), I find extremely little. Which (of your) texts do you think I should definitely consider? #GameStudies #PoliticalStudie
August 6, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I would be grateful for your help! I agreed to write an overview of political studies in digital games for the @akgwds.bsky.social. Apart from usual suspects (Bevc and Sicart), I find extremely little. Which (of your) texts do you think I should definitely consider? #GameStudies #PoliticalStudie
If you’re lucky enough to meet @florencesn.bsky.social at a conference, or wherever, make sure to grab one of their zines. Great little pieces of research communication and great for thinking about how you distill info/work.
August 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
If you’re lucky enough to meet @florencesn.bsky.social at a conference, or wherever, make sure to grab one of their zines. Great little pieces of research communication and great for thinking about how you distill info/work.
Reposted by Jenny Cromwell / Papyrus Stories
PIRANESIAN //
"...is a narrative-driven Game Boy adventure inspired by the novel Piranesi. You explore The House, a mysterious labyrinth of halls, uncovering lost memories, solving riddles, and reflecting on Plato’s virtues."
#GameBoy
tizummo.itch.io/piranesian
"...is a narrative-driven Game Boy adventure inspired by the novel Piranesi. You explore The House, a mysterious labyrinth of halls, uncovering lost memories, solving riddles, and reflecting on Plato’s virtues."
#GameBoy
tizummo.itch.io/piranesian
July 18, 2025 at 6:02 AM
PIRANESIAN //
"...is a narrative-driven Game Boy adventure inspired by the novel Piranesi. You explore The House, a mysterious labyrinth of halls, uncovering lost memories, solving riddles, and reflecting on Plato’s virtues."
#GameBoy
tizummo.itch.io/piranesian
"...is a narrative-driven Game Boy adventure inspired by the novel Piranesi. You explore The House, a mysterious labyrinth of halls, uncovering lost memories, solving riddles, and reflecting on Plato’s virtues."
#GameBoy
tizummo.itch.io/piranesian