Play – Think – History. Shifts of Contingency and bidirectional plausibilities

Abstract

Computer games often use historical themes and settings. In addition to pure playing qualities, they are therefore often attributed aptitude for acquiring knowledge and insights about or immersing in the past, and often also qualities as a medium for historical learning. In most cases, however, relevant discussions do not only concern the concrete design of the individual game, but also fundamental questions of the relationship between past and history. Authenticity and generic concepts play an essential role in this process. On the other hand, this paper looks at the operations and forms of historical thinking and, on this basis, discusses criteria of the plausibility of this thinking in «playing history».