Taking Credit for History: Why the University of Arizona and Age of Empires IV Want Students to Play During Class

This sounds just what dreams consist of: earning college credit by playing video games. This dream has become a reality for the students of the University of Arizona thanks to an exclusive partnership between the university. Age of Empires IV.

Current and future students at Arizona Online can start this semester earning credit towards their college degree by being involved in special educational content and playing. Age of Empires IV.

To learn more about this partnership, we had a chance to talk with Associate Professor of Medieval History Paul Milliman, Executive Director of Corporate Initiatives and Business Development Kara Aquilano Forney, Associate Professor of Roman History and Department Head Alison Futrell, and Franchise Narrative Director for Age of Empires at World’s Edge Studio (Xbox) Noble Smith about this unique opportunity for Universe of Arizona students, what inspired them to create this program, and how Age of Empires IVIt can confirm historical accuracy.

Was it the University of Arizona that inspired this program?

Paul Milliman – When Kara asked me whether I would like to help create this program, I was teaching the History Department’s senior capstone course. The best student in my class was someone who I hadn’t worked with before. I then asked him about his knowledge of medieval history. His motivation to study medieval history was through games such as Age of Empires II.

In recent years, so many of the best students I’ve worked with are gamers. These students are researching historic events and playing them in their games. I was excited to be able to show these gamers the amazing places online they could go to conduct historical research. This is As Age of Empires IVThey said, “I wanted them to learn how to make history their stories.”

Alison Futrell – I was very excited when Kara approached us about this opportunity. Since years I have focused my research and teaching on the history of television and film. My students also alert me to new and exciting innovations in gaming. For his final project, one of the students focused on two examples and I was amazed by all of the twists in narrative and different layers of meaning he revealed. They were unique and very innovative approaches to the past. I’m enthusiastic about bringing in additional historical resources to enrich this kind of exploration.

Please share your history, no pun intended, on the origins of this partnership between Microsoft/Xbox and Age of Empires IV at University of Arizona.

Kara Aquilano Forney – The idea for the partnership came about more than two years ago when I connected with Will McCahill, business lead at Microsoft’s World’s Edge game studio. Will reached out in order to discuss expanding learning opportunities. Age of Empires IVAnd we discussed how players could have a place to return once they’ve completed their AoE experience. We had many “What if?” conversations — What if we enhanced the user experience with added learning content? How would that change the learning experience? The UArizona’s history department was quick on the bandwagon, and so is History.

Are there any other games for college credit? Did you draw from other sources to develop this program at your university

Paul Milliman – I am not aware of anything like this anywhere else. It is history mixed with games that I teach. My courses are about historical games. As a way to make historical research more interesting, I have my students design games. This playful approach to historical research proved very helpful for the project.

Alison Futrell – I teach spectacle and performance (and film) and encourage students to move away from their desks, bring their other skills into the expanded classroom. These habits are reinforced by this course. My college colleague created a course on creating tabletop history games. It focused on ancient economic decisions and how they influence other choices. I found this very interesting.

What was it about Age of Empires IV specifically that drew you to the idea of creating college credit for playing through the game’s campaign?

Paul Milliman – I was intrigued by the script, especially the “Hands on History” videos. My teaching style involves a lot of hands-on. I’m a guide by your side, not a sage on a stage. I’m designing a special course just for gamer-historians who want to continue learning by building on their experiences in the game. They are going to learn more about the campaigns they fought by doing their own historical research and creating their own “Hands on History” videos.

Alison Futrell – The short documentaries alongside the enriched game play were fantastic! Archaeology is a great field! As a former archaeologist, I really appreciated the depth and tangibility those presentations brought to the dynamic ‘you are there’ quality of AoE IV. Many ways to understand what’s going on! With the special course, we’re adding different kinds of challenges to enhance what gamers have already experienced.

Are there any campaigns or levels that you’re excited for students to experience as part of this program at your university?

Paul Milliman – I think all four campaigns are great. These campaigns make me wonder what other campaigns could be presented for the different civs. The promo video, which featured Indian elephants running through medieval London while Chinese junks were sailing up Thames in China, was great. In the Middle Ages, Europe was not the center of the world, so placing later colonialism in its proper historical context through counterfactual history like this is a really engaging way to get students thinking about Europe’s historical relations with the larger world.

Alison Futrell – I think the four campaigns address important turning points in a really broad context, which is great. Paul pointed out that the creative promo about the clash of cultures was quite entertaining. It also encouraged us to think differently and compare, as well as to look at what tools might be useful in this type of speculation.

Noble Smith – We’re thrilled that University of Arizona students will be able to dive into the rich history of Age of Empires IV’s campaigns. Diverse historical personages like the French heroine Jeanne d’Arc and the Mongol Emperor Genghis are brought to life through beautifully modeled 3D characters that speak in their respective native languages. Because this is a real-time strategy game, the player is in control of all their units — from the above-mentioned Heroes (with their unique special abilities) all the way down to the basic Man-at-Arms. The 3/4-Aerial view of key battles makes them as real and relevant today as they did centuries ago.

Does this course help to confirm the accuracy of historical portrayals, from the High Medieval period through the Late Renaissance, which Age of Empires IV strives towards?

Paul Milliman – I believe so.  In writing the Illuminated Histories as well as the assessment I was keen to link everything to the game.  The excitement that people feel while playing the game I hope to channel into historical research on topics they are passionate about.  It is my goal for them to feel the thrill of discovery. This can sometimes be as thrilling and exciting as campaign victories.

Alison Futrell – Absolutely! Authenticity and rich/deep exploration is what we’re after. The history of the world is complex, and there are many layers to explore. The course we’ve designed offers a range of pathways to get started doing just that.

Noble Smith – Beginning with the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and ending with the Siege of Kazan in 1552, the four campaigns in AoE IV most definitely span the sweeping era of the High Medieval period to the Late Renaissance. Experts from all walks of the globe were able to guide and research each step in the evolution of armor, weapons and architecture.

The grand arc of four campaigns allows the player to see military units advance from swords and mail armor (the Normans campaign), to more sophisticated gunpowder weapons and plate armor (the Hundred Years War Campaign). The languages used by units in AoE IV have evolved from the High Medieval to Late Renaissance versions.

What future programs at your university, or others, you’d like to see to help recognize gaming as a source of education (when applicable)?

Paul Milliman – This is already happening in the history profession.  This topic is covered in many conferences and publications, as well as by many teachers who use games to teach.  You can also see last year’s results. The American Historical Review, the leading academic history journal in the US, began reviewing historical computer games as a recognition of how important gaming is in informing people’s views of history.

Alison Futrell – This is a hot topic in History right now, with many people working on different pedagogical approaches that engage a range of student experiences and skill-building and, importantly, creativity. The topic of games is gaining popularity and it’s being mentioned at many scholarly conferences.

What do you think this will teach your students about other cultures? Is there anything else you want them to take home from the experience?

Paul Milliman – I do.  Half of these campaigns were not set in Western Europe. I am a global Middle Ages historian. This experience will hopefully inspire gamer-historians and gamer-historians alike to explore the medieval world through virtual or real visits to both museums and libraries which contain primary sources for medieval history and places depicted in this game. I also hope people will try their own “Hands on History.”  Because of Age of Empires IV, I’ve broadened by own experiential learning. I have been learning archery for a while now, and I plan to take falconry lessons and historic fencing soon. So, Age of Empires IVPeople of all ages, and any historical skill level can find inspiration!

Alison Futrell – Of course! History offers people the chance to appreciate new outlooks through exploring the old, as it were, to see the human experience through the eyes of those who’ve gone before, to gain new insights, to broaden their understanding. It is my hope that every student will be able to dig a little deeper into the topic that interests them. I think that’s a particular strength in the way this class is structured.

Noble Smith – We hope that students who play AoE IVThey will have a deep love for history. Maybe they will be inspired to tour a famous site represented in one of the missions (like the Hastings Battlefield in the United Kingdom) or visit the Guédelon castle project in France (shown in one of the game’s accompanying “Hands on History” films — Building a Castle) or perhaps study a new language. Maybe we’ll motivate someone to write a book about the Mongolian Yam messenger system or learn how to craft plate armor using traditional tools. We might even get some people who want to join our Age of Empires team… and keep on making history come to life for years to come!

Thank you to Paul and Kara as well as Alison and Noble, for taking time to tell us about this wonderful opportunity for University of Arizona Students. AgeofEmpires.com provides more details about the program.. Age of Empires IVYou can play the game today using PC Game Pass or by purchasing it on Windows Store, Steam and Windows Store. Xbox Wire is your source for the latest information about Xbox games and Windows PC.

Age of Empires IV

Xbox Game Studios

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★★★★★

Age of Empires IV is the return to glory of one of the most loved real-time strategy games. This game puts you in the middle of historic battles that have shaped history. Age of Empires 4 brings a refined real-time strategy experience to the next generation. It offers both new and familiar ways to grow your empire over vast landscapes.

Return to History – The past is prologue as you are immersed in a rich historical setting of 8 diverse civilizations across the world from the English to the Chinese to the Delhi Sultanate in your quest for victory. You will need to build cities and manage your resources to lead troops in battle at sea. There are 35 missions to choose from that cover 500 years worth of history, starting with the Dark Ages and ending with the Renaissance.

Choose Your Path to Greatness with Historical Figures – Live the adventures of Joan of Arc in her quest to defeat the English, or command mighty Mongol troops as Genghis Khan in his conquest across Asia. The choice is yours – and every decision you make will determine the outcome of history.

Customize Your Game with Mods – Available in Early 2022, play how you want with user generated content tools for custom games.

Take on the World – Join us online for PVP or PVE multiplayer mode competitions with as many as 7 other players.

An Age for All Players – Age of Empires IV is an inviting experience for new players with a tutorial system that teaches the essence of real-time strategy and a Campaign Story Mode designed for first time players to help achieve easy setup and success, yet is challenging enough for veteran players with new game mechanics, evolved strategies, and combat techniques.