Rubio Arévalo, Juan Manuel (2023):
The Four Cities: A Story of Outremer in the 12th Century
Yehuda Elkana Center for Teaching, Learning, and Higher Education Research
Central European University.
https://doi.org/10.60644/e7xc-m280
License: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0
Summary: The crusades are too often depicted in the media as a Manichean battle between two clearly defined sides. The game’s message questions this narrative and focuses on the internal divisions and the inter-religious alliances that all rulers in the Holy Land had to engage in to boost their own interests. For this, the period between 1130-1148 was chosen since it saw constant infighting among crusaders and Muslim rulers. It is a highly dynamic period in terms of inter-religious alliances, with the failure of the Second Crusade as its climax. With its four paths, the full game could be played in groups of four where each student follows a different path earlier in the game.
Access the game here