Whether it's exhaustively accurate epics like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, or fantastical, alternative takes like many of the Assassin's Creed games, historical games have frequently proven to be both intriguing and intense. Capturing a variety of civilizations and time periods, players have enjoyed both entertaining and, in some cases, surprisingly educational takes on cultures from yesteryear.
Despite the numerous eras and peoples to have received the video game treatment, there are still a large number of fascinating civilizations that have been left untapped. Boasting everything from mighty warriors and kings to unfathomable wealth and ominous, mysterious downfalls, these civilizations could serve as storytelling goldmines. From all over the world, and with a variety of fascinating events and figures to chronicle, the following six civilizations could make for truly compelling video gaming down the line should any eagle-eyed developer snatch them up.
6 The Korean Empire Has A Complicated And Violent History That Could Make For Compelling Gaming
Ruling over Korea shortly after the dissolution of the Joseon Dynasty, Imperial Korea lasted from 1897 to 1910. Its final year saw its destruction courtesy of Japan, who successfully annexed the country and held it under imperial rule for 35 years.
A game focusing on the Japanese takeover could make for thoughtful, engrossing fare. Upon the official signing of the final annexation treaty in 1910, Korea was subjected to a fearsome police rule for some time, effectively making them a martial law state. During the early 1900s, groups such as the Righteous Army rebelled and fought back against Japanese influence and conquest. Multiple battles, including the devastating 1907 battle of Seoul, would no doubt provide players with brutal, fearsome war gameplay, bolstered by the powerful, complex history that led to it in reality.
5 The Land of Punt Would Take Players On A Mysterious Journey Into Ancient Africa
While ancient Egypt has frequently been tackled in gaming, one of its legendary neighbors is yet to get all that much attention. Believed to have been situated southeast of Egypt, the mysterious trading nation has also been linked to Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, among others.
What makes the Land of Punt so intriguing is the eyebrow-raising amount of lucrative materials it was known to export. Everything from gold to exotic animals was up for grabs when denizens of the Land of Punt came to town. For a video game, a look into an ancient African kingdom would be relatively fresh. Furthermore, the thrills and spills of acquiring so many rare items of wealth and bartering with the ancient Egyptians could make for an engrossing historical epic.
4 The Kingdom of Dagbon Is Full Of Mighty Warriors And Battles To Thrill Gamers With
Speaking of African kingdoms, Dagbon's legendary origins are ripe for the video game treatment. One of Ghana's oldest and most powerful kingdoms, its almost mythical origins could make for an action-packed epic.
According to the oral histories on offer, the Kingdom of Dagbon was founded by a traveling warrior named Tohazie back in the 1250s. Arriving in Ghana after a lengthy voyage through locations such as northern Nigeria and areas of the Mali Empire, Tohazie, in conjunction with his warrior companions, established a kingdom whilst clashing with neighboring territories. Such a story would be fit for both open world gaming and battle strategy gameplay. The kingdom's later clashes with Germany could also make for compelling historical gaming.
3 The Olmecs Would Open Up An Ancient Mesoamerican World To Explore
The earliest Mesoamerican civilization on record, the Olmecs have turned up as a mod for games such as Civilization V. However, a game fully focusing on their history, culture, and stories is yet to see the light of day.
On a scary note, the Olemcs are believed to have started the ritual bloodletting practises that became a custom of many Mesoamerican civilizations that followed. Believed to have been predominantly ruled by their religious leaders, the Olmecs followed a complicated, mysterious set of mythological and religious laws and customs based on archeologist findings over the years. Considering the many mysteries of the Olmecs lost to the sands of time, developers could have a field day in crafting an original story out of their time and setting, giving players a potentially thrilling interpretation of early Mesoamerican history.
2 The Maurya Empire Would Give Players A Look At Iron Age India
This sizable, ancient Indian empire dominated much of the Indo-Gangetic Plain starting in 322 BCE. The empire's founder, Chandragupta Maurya, ruled over the Kingdom of Magahda initially, before aggressively expanding into neighboring territories.
A game focused completely on Iron Age India is yet to get its due. While the Maurya Empire is available as a buildable in games such as Roblox: Rise of Nations, a full open-world, narrative-focused epic has never come anywhere near to fruition. There are plenty of periods within the empire's long history that could serve as worthwhile stories to build such a game around. From its founding, to the conquest of the kingdom of Kalinga, to the empire's destruction and the subsequent rise of the Shunga Empire, developers would be spoiled for choice in epic historical moments and conquests to choose from.
1 The Khmer Empire Could Take Players Into The Heart Of Imperial Southeast Asia
Also known as the Angkorian Empire, this Cambodian kingdom eclipsed the Byzantine Empire in size at its peak. For gaming, the setting of a prime Angkor would make for a thrilling, luxurious map for players to explore.
Coming together in the ninth century, the Khmer Empire boasted several notable achievements during its six centuries, including the first known healthcare system, and the largest known pre-industrial complex in history. For gaming, the empire's shocking fall during the 15th century would likely translate best. Besieged by the Ayutthatya Kingdom, the Khmer Empire came undone, not only due to war, but also due to both a brutal monsoon season and a grim drought. Such cataclysmic events would no doubt serve as dramatic, high-intensity fare in the gaming medium. Overall, there's an incredibly rich and intriguing history here that has enjoyed little notice in either gaming or film as of yet.