Public history

Before the War: a Collaborative Game

13 May 2024

History@Play lecture: Before the War
Lecture and game session by Mélanie Petton, Land of Memory, Luxembourg, and Vincenzo Bianca, N-Zone, Bruxelles, Belgium.

Developed as part of the Land of Memory Interreg project, “Before the War” is a historical strategy board game that aims to provide an understanding of the issues and mechanisms related to wars. Players explore scenarios inspired by real-life historical events, and are given the chance to make crucial decisions and potentially rewrite history. World balance depends on the players’ ability to navigate diplomatic crises and maintain peace.

Project coordinator Mélanie Petton and game designer Vincenzo Bianca will illustrate the game development process and share their insights on how play can provide an original approach to exploring and understanding complex political dynamics and societal issues.

The talk will be followed by a game session (in English or French) offering the audience the opportunity to play the game.

 

Born in 1982, Mélanie Petton is a specialist in European projects working across cultural, social, and tourism fields.

Vincenzo Bianca, holding a degree in Educational Sciences and a specialisation in Marketing, began his career as a researcher at the University of Liège (Belgium). In 2012, he founded "The Smart Company" which provides highly sophisticated software solutions. In 2014, he started "N-Zone", a company specialising on leisure and learning gamification.

 

Monday, 13 May 2024
13:00 – 16:30
Black Box
Maison des Sciences Humaines, Belval Campus

 

Programme

13:00-14:00 Talk and Q&A

14:00-14:15 Coffee break

14:15-16:30 Game session

 

Free registration until 10 May 2024. Spots for the game session are limited to 48 players and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please indicate whether you will attend the talk, the game session, or both, and state your language preference: French or English.