Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Join us for a panel discussion as we delve into the sensitive and often contentious portrayal of the Wehrmacht in historical wargames. In this session, we explore the ethical boundaries and responsibilities of game designers and historians in representing WWII themes.
Our Panelists:
Professor Alastair Kocho Williams - A respected historian from Clarkson University, Prof. Williams brings a wealth of knowledge in WWII history and the pervasive myths surrounding the Wehrmacht.
Jan Heinemann - A historian and political scientist, Jan offers insights into the cultural and political ramifications of WWII representations in modern media.
Volko Ruhnke - Renowned for his innovative design of the COIN series, Ruhnke's work in wargame design has challenged and redefined how complex conflicts are modeled in gaming.
Dr. Waitman Beorne - Historian at Northumbria University with research interests in the Holocaust, genocide, and German history.
Discussion Points:
The implications of using Nazi-era memorabilia as promotional material in the gaming industry.
An in-depth examination of the 'Clean Wehrmacht' myth: its origins, impact, and persistence in both academic circles and popular media.
Strategies for wargame designers to handle sensitive historical content responsibly.
Why Watch? This panel is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of history, ethics, and gaming. Whether you are a gamer, a historian, or simply curious about the ethical challenges of representing history in games, this discussion promises to offer valuable perspectives and stimulate thoughtful debate.
Suggested readings:
The Clean Wehrmacht, the War of Extermination, and beyond jstor.org/stable/40264179
Builders of the Third Reich bloomsbury.com/au/builders-of-the-third-reich-9781350182660
Dr Waitman's podcast on the History of the Holocaust: thhp.buzzsprout.com
Playing the Nazis: Political Implications in Analog Wargames analoggamestudies.org/2019/09/playing-the-nazis-political-implications-in-analog-wargames
The Other Side of the Hill – Thoughts from Volko Ruhnke theboardgameschronicle.com/2023/12/05/the-other-side-of-the-hill-thoughts-from-volko-ruhnke
Support the show on Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/homoludens1871
Join us for a panel discussion as we delve into the sensitive and often contentious portrayal of the Wehrmacht in historical wargames. In this session, we explore the ethical boundaries and responsibilities of game designers and historians in representing WWII themes.
Our Panelists:
Professor Alastair Kocho Williams - A respected historian from Clarkson University, Prof. Williams brings a wealth of knowledge in WWII history and the pervasive myths surrounding the Wehrmacht.
Jan Heinemann - A historian and political scientist, Jan offers insights into the cultural and political ramifications of WWII representations in modern media.
Volko Ruhnke - Renowned for his innovative design of the COIN series, Ruhnke's work in wargame design has challenged and redefined how complex conflicts are modeled in gaming.
Dr. Waitman Beorne - Historian at Northumbria University with research interests in the Holocaust, genocide, and German history.
Discussion Points:
The implications of using Nazi-era memorabilia as promotional material in the gaming industry.
An in-depth examination of the 'Clean Wehrmacht' myth: its origins, impact, and persistence in both academic circles and popular media.
Strategies for wargame designers to handle sensitive historical content responsibly.
Why Watch? This panel is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of history, ethics, and gaming. Whether you are a gamer, a historian, or simply curious about the ethical challenges of representing history in games, this discussion promises to offer valuable perspectives and stimulate thoughtful debate.
Suggested readings:
The Clean Wehrmacht, the War of Extermination, and beyond jstor.org/stable/40264179
Builders of the Third Reich bloomsbury.com/au/builders-of-the-third-reich-9781350182660
Dr Waitman's podcast on the History of the Holocaust: thhp.buzzsprout.com
Playing the Nazis: Political Implications in Analog Wargames analoggamestudies.org/2019/09/playing-the-nazis-political-implications-in-analog-wargames
The Other Side of the Hill – Thoughts from Volko Ruhnke theboardgameschronicle.com/2023/12/05/the-other-side-of-the-hill-thoughts-from-volko-ruhnke
Support the show on Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/homoludens1871
