Summer Semester 2024

The games listed on this page are the result of a course titled "'That belongs in a museum!' - Creating Archaeogames from idea to release" of the University of Cologne in the Summer Semester of 2024. Students in the fields of Archaeology, Digital Archaeology, and Digital Humanities have created eight games in small groups, that are concerned with the depiction of the past and/or the profession of Archaeology. The rights to these games lie with the creators themselves, who have given us the permission to publish their games here under the Creative Commons Licence (CC BY 4.0).

All games were made by small student groups within one semester (13 weeks). The games are therefore short and sometimes buggy. The course wasn't about creating a perfect game however, but instead to build a concept of a game. Some of the games come with directions, while others are for you to explore.

Step into the world of ancient culinary arts with our thrilling cooking simulator, where you become a master chef of the Roman Empire and Ancient Egypt. As the clock ticks down, you'll be tasked with recreating authentic recipes passed down through generations. Each dish you prepare brings the rich flavors of history to life, from the sumptuous feasts of Roman banquets to the exotic delicacies of the Pharaohs' tables.

But time is not on your side! With each recipe, the challenge intensifies as you race against the timer. Perfect your dishes to earn points and unlock the next level of culinary mastery. The journey begins with two captivating levels, each filled with unique ingredients, ancient cooking techniques, and the pressure to perform. Will you rise to the challenge and become the ultimate chef of the ancient world? Immerse yourself in the past, master the art of ancient cooking, and let the flavors of history guide you to victory!

Version: 1.0

Plattform: GDevelop
Language: German
Size: online
Link: https://gd.games/instant-builds/25667431-e525-478e-8c9a-e3ee614cc529
Manual: Click on the link and the game will start in your browser

Team

- Tamara Neufeld (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Music & Sounds
- Jannis Werner (Institute of Archaeology) - Research
- Senem Celik (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Coding
- Souzan Katmawi Sabbagh (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Graphic Design
- Jessica Schuster (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Graphic Design
- Antonia Gniaz (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Coding
- Sharon Dickson Igwe (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Graphic Design

"Shovels & Shenanigans" invites you on an exhilarating journey into the world of archaeology, where your mission is to unearth the secrets of the ancient Heuneburg in Herbertingen, Germany. As the dig site manager, you're not just a spectator—you're the mastermind behind the entire operation. From the very start, you’ll need to secure funding, handpick your dream team of experts, and gather the perfect equipment to ensure your success.

Once on-site, you’ll dive headfirst into the thrilling process of excavation, with each step bringing new challenges and discoveries. As you carefully unearth ancient artifacts, you'll also be unlocking the mysteries of the past. But watch out—every decision you make is crucial, with the game’s dynamic “Disaster Score” tracking your progress. Will you rise to the occasion and manage your site like a seasoned professional, or will the pressures of the dig overwhelm you?

The stakes are high, but the rewards are worth it. Successfully navigate the trials of the dig, and you’ll earn an exclusive in-game visit to the Heuneburg Celtic Museum, where you can marvel at your findings and delve deeper into their history. "Shovels & Shenanigans" is not just a game—it's an adventure filled with humor, strategy, and the thrill of discovery. Step into the boots of an archaeologist and experience the excitement of uncovering history, one shovelful at a time!

Version: 1.0
Platform: Godot for PC
Language: English
Size: 146,7 MB
Download: 10.5281/zenodo.13766887
Manual: Unzip the file in one folder and start the file "shovels.exe"

Team

- Berivan Altunsaray (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Design and Illustrations
- David Golomb (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Storytelling, Texting & Sound
- Corinna Hennicke (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Coding
- Helena Köster(Institute of Digital Humanities) - Design, Illustrations & Animations
- Niels Schreiner (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Coding & Music
- Charlotte Tornes (Institute of Archaeology) - Research

The game is set in the time after the destruction of the earth in the city of Cologne. The Alien Azarion from the planet Xal`Tur lands on earth and their goal is to excavate artifacts from different times in human history. Those times are the roman age, medieval age and digital age. Each of those times has between 7 and 8 artifacts which have to be found and scanned. After each artifact there is a minigame to be completed with either questions or tasks to be completed. If all artifacts of a time have been found the Alien can submit a report to the Boss which leads one step further to completing the game.

The aim of the game is to find all the artifacts. If Azarion succeeds, he can return to his home planet Xal'Tur and will be honored. At the beginning of the game, Azarion is fallen into disgrace because he almost destroyed Xal'Tur in a dangerous undertaking. To regain his honor, he is given one last chance to fly to Earth to scan the desired artifacts and bring them home digitally. If he fails and cannot bring back enough artifacts, he will be exiled to Earth forever. For Azarion, this mission means everything, his honor, his calling to become an important archaeologist and also the return to his home planet.

Version: 1.0
Platform: Unity for PC
Language: English
Size: 72,6 MB (Win)
Download: 10.5281/zenodo.13767963
Manual: Unzip the file in one folder and start the file "Archeo.exe"

Team

- Jelde Schipper (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Team Lead Programming, Map-Design, AI-Music
- Nico Schmidt (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Programming, Intro Video
- Maximin Müller (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Programming, UI, Mini-Games
- Lava Mohamad (Institute of Archaeology) - Team Lead Story/Research, Archeological Research
- Naomi Jackson (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Research, Story, Protocols, User Study, Graphics
- Juliane Höfler (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Research, Story, Sound/Music
- David Rupprich (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Team Lead Graphics, Design, Animation
- Yasemin Fernandez Acet (Institute of Archaeology) - Graphics, Design
- Sarah Wellpott (Institute of Archaeology) - Graphics, Design

The game depicts the ancient complex of Chogha Zanbil, which lies to the south-east of Susa in what is now south-west Iran. The ziggurat stands for enforcing celestial powers and to form a connection between mankind and gods by being formed as a Mountain made of steps, intended to be used by gods and men. The complex was once decorated with glazed bricks and statues depicting birds and bulls. Other temples, both inside and outside the outer walls, were dedicated to various deities, many of which were known by several names. As a walking simulator, the aim is to shed light on a lesser known area of archaeological research, challenging the common perception that archaeology only focuses on Egypt, Greece and Rome. The player will explore the ziggurat complex and learn about the ancient culture that once lived there.

After meeting a snake, the player is tasked with proving their knowledge and value to mankind by completing three challenges. These challenges are designed to lead the player to find artifacts associated with Chogha Zanbil or uncover new knowledge, such as the roles of the deities associated with the site. What secrets might be revealed in this knowledge-driven adventure? What role did Chogha Zanbil play in the ancient society that worshiped it? And why are there serpentine walls? The answers lie within the temple for the player to discover…

Version: 1.0
Platform: Unreal Engine for PC
Language: English
Size: 1,74 GB (Win)
Download: 10.5281/zenodo.13769367
Manual: Unzip the file in one folder and start the file "ArchaeoGames.exe"

Team

- Inez Keller (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Team Lead, Research, Story, Videos, Quiz-Building
- Malte Rudius (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Team Lead, Programming
- Nina Ataei (Institute of Archaeology) - Research, Story, Quiz-Building
- Christian Manthe (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Research, 3D-Modeling
- Sophia Kapf (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Story, Music, Quiz-Building
- Katharina Osterbrink (Institute of Digital Humanities) - 3D-Modeling
- Lina Schmitz (Institute of Digital Humanities) - 3D-Modeling
- Melina Rys (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Level Design
- Eric Klöckner (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Programming
- Simon Loogen (Institute of Digital Humanities) - Programming