iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Dr. Heather Smith @digitalsoundscapes.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Last week, I built the Trevi Fountain (a fantastic birthday gift from my family). I am particularly enamoured with the LEGO horse statues (shown in photo 3).

A photo of a LEGO model reconstruction of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

A close up photo of the central LEGO statues on the fountain.

A photo showing one of the LEGO horse statues on the Trevi Mountain model.

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Dr. Heather Smith @digitalsoundscapes.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Via MedievalistMatt

A photo of an Instagram post from MedievalistMatt written in the character of Henry VIII parodying the style of a LinkedIn announcement post.

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Dr. Heather Smith @digitalsoundscapes.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Obsessed with these 3D beaded earrings my talented and brilliant friend, @writingmedieval.bsky.social, made for me for my birthday! I'm very lucky to have such thoughtful and kind friends and colleagues.

A photo of me (reddish hair, glasses) wearing purple beaded earrings and a black dress.

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

They look so amazing on you!! 😊❤️❤️

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Thank you!! Casebooks sound really interesting too; I spend my days reading diaries and execution records so I’m there with you 😂

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Other than Astrologaster, the ones I’ve managed to find are Hampton Court, and an old Tudors tv series find the item game. I think the monarchs are briefly mentioned in Civ and/or Crusader Kings, but I’m surprised there isn’t more about them!

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Yes this is a great one! She’s mentioned a few times, which works well.

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

The monarchs ideally, but even the general period is great as long as the game is set in England!

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Gamers out there (particularly with a historical bent!), can you help me find video games that feature the Tudors? I’ve been searching and coming up with very little! #videogames #historygaming #tudors #gaming

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The Video Game Library 📚 @thevideogamelibrary.org · 23/12/2024

511. THE MIDDLE AGES IN COMPUTER GAMES: LUDIC APPROACHES TO THE MEDIEVAL AND MEDIEVALISM 👉 www.thevideogamelibrary.org/book/the-mid... @robehoughton.bsky.social #GTM #GamingThePast @midagesmodgames.bsky.social #Booksky #Gaming #GameStudies #Ludology #MedievalSky #BaldursGate #TheWitcher

The cover of The Middle Ages in Computer Games by Robert Houghton features a medieval theme blended with digital aesthetics. The title is prominently displayed in a pixelated font, suggesting the intersection of history and gaming.

A subtle image of a sword is integrated into the background, reinforcing the medieval theme. The dark grid-like texture adds a modern, digital feel, aligning with the book's focus on computer games.

Games with a medieval setting are commercially lucrative and reach a truly massive audience. Moreover, they can engage their players in a manner that is not only different, but in certain aspects, more profound than traditional literary or cinematic forms of medievalism. However, although it is important to understand the versions of the Middle Ages presented by these games, how players engage with these medievalist worlds, and why particular representational trends emerge in this most modern medium, there has hitherto been little scholarship devoted to them.

This book explores the distinct nature of medievalism in digital games across a range of themes, from the portrayal of grotesque yet romantic conflict to conflicting depictions of the Church and religion. It likewise considers the distinctions between medievalist games and those of other periods, underlining their emphasis on fantasy, roleplay and hardcore elements, and their consequences for depictions of morality, race, gender and sexuality. Ultimately the book argues that while medievalist games are thoroughly influenced by medievalist and ludic tropes, they are nonetheless representative of a distinct new form of medievalism. It engages with the vast literature surrounding historical game studies, game design, and medievalism, and considers hundreds of games from across genres, from Assassin's Creed and Baldur's Gate to Crusader Kings and The Witcher series. In doing so, it provides a vital illustration of the state of the field and a cornerstone for future research and teaching.

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

I love that stage! With games there’s always so many possibilities it’s hard to decide what approach to take. I’ve definitely never seen students as engaged as when they know there’s room for play- such exciting pedagogical potential!

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Games and history community- any recommendations?

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

I’ve taught courses on the Middle Ages and video games with games in the weekly readings! I pick indie games on steam for PC and Mac (and mobile if possible!) that are low $. For any AAA games discussed in class I either record my gameplay or find silent playthroughs. Worked well so far!

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Dr. Heather Smith @digitalsoundscapes.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Amazing talk by Professor Julia Rombough happening next week at the University of Toronto and over Zoom next week on Thursday, March 13!! (Details below) @decimauot.bsky.social @writingmedieval.bsky.social @crosehistorian.bsky.social #earlymodern

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DECIMA @decimauot.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

-Tomorrow (February 12th) at 12pmEST- Nicholas Terpstra and Colin Rose will reflect on ten years since the release of the first DECIMA WebGIS. They will share their successes using DH for pedagogy, and their struggles planning for sustainability. Register to attend here: rsa.org/events/Event...

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Mariana J López @marianajlopez.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Out there in the world ☺️

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

I can’t wait to read your thoughts on the project! Fingers crossed there should be an article out about Accessing Anna in the not too distant future… Go check out Dr. López’s book here: www.routledge.com/Sonic-Pasts-...! It‘s still on sale!

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Perfect! I shall send it along to you! :)

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

It’s so nice to find you on here!! I have a chapter out now that details my approach to games and pedagogy! It’s just here: www.brepolsonline.net/doi/epdf/10.... but let me know if you can’t access it and I can email the chapter to you! :)

brepolsonline.net

Feeling Medieval. Immersive Pedagogy | What is Medieval?

No results returned.

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Hello there! Thank you, just making a proper switch over from the blue bird app, so nice to find so many familiar faces here 😃

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

You drew her so gorgeously I love her so much!! 😭😭❤️❤️

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Celine Camps @celinecamps.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

🚨 #Skystorians: @cambridgeup.bsky.social, publisher of 'Renaissance Quarterly', has "temporarily enabled free access to all articles published since the 1st of January 2023; this will continue for all new articles published through the 31st of December this year" 🗃️ #EarlyModern shorturl.at/BOw6L

cambridge.org

Renaissance Quarterly | Cambridge Core

Renaissance Quarterly - Barbara Fuchs, Carina L. Johnson, Brian J. Maxson, John R. Decker

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Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Ever wondered why walking around museums is weirdly tiring? At normal speed our legs act like pendulums, swinging forward from the hip & saving us a huge amount of energy. In "museum shuffle" our muscles must do ALL the work of constant readjustment. So cake in the cafe is scientifically justified 🥳

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Dr.MRO/ Axel Folio @isasaxonists.bsky.social · 18/09/2023

Dante's Inferno or an upcoming limited edition medieval inspired Halloween colorway? Stay tuned! #RepublicOfYarnia

An image of yarn in a long pan. The top is black and it fades into a smokey yellow and then deep orange at the bottom. The colorway looks like a fiery image.

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Dr. Heather Smith @digitalsoundscapes.bsky.social · 16/09/2023

Check out this stunning trumpet modelled by our talented DECIMA Project RA, Adam Julien, as part of the ongoing reconstruction of Cosimo I de' Medici's 1560 entry into Siena! You can check out more of Adam's work at: adamjulien.com. @crosehistorian.bsky.social, @writingmedieval.bsky.social

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Ariana Ellis 💀 @writingmedieval.bsky.social · 05/08/2023

If you followed me on Twitter before, welcome to the same nerdery! Did you know that the medieval church had to ban circle dances in churchyards?

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