Brot, Spiele … und Latrinen? Zur Darstellung römischer Stadträume im Computerspiel

This paper focuses on the reception of antiquity within a medium previously not held worthy of a detailed scientific analysis in classical scholarship, i.e. computer and video games. After narrowing the field of investigation to the relatively small genre of ‘city simulations’ (and, of course, particularly those proclaiming to simulate an ancient city, namely the Caesar game series [Sierra Entertainment, 1992–2006]), it becomes evident that questions of game mechanics and game design were of critical importance in developing these games and, when in conflict with questions of historical accuracy, were invariably given priority. But rather than focusing exclusively on whether or not the depiction of, e.g., Roman buildings are archaeologically accurate, this paper, taking its inspiration from the emerging field of Game Studies, uncovers the underlying principles of play. It becomes evident that much of the game dynamics of Caesar are the result not of historical research, but of public policy debates held in the late 80s and early 90s on the nature and future of US cities. The same debates had previously informed the development of the SimCity game series developed by Will Wright (Maxis, 1989–2013), which was a primary inspiration for Caesar. Thus, political notions and sociological theorems of Reagan-/Bush-era Northern America inform the design and playability of video games ostensibly portraying – even ‘simulating’ – city life in ancient Rome.