Games can be one of the best entertainment mediums and educational. They can be informative as they can be used to showcase various aspects. Whether it be things in popular culture, futuristic ideas, or those from the past, they can be a source of knowledge.
Historic periods can often be among the best stories to portray and tell. Games can use various symbols, figures, or objects from a period. Each of these can be influential. Players will know what type of gameplay to expect, while the theme can give developers something to work with and create stories based on.
Why has Ancient Egypt been one of the most popular themes?
A few themes have become popular in the gaming market. One of those that has done extremely well across the mainstream market is the Ancient Egyptian theme.
Ancient Egypt is a fascinating period of history. Although it may have happened several thousand years ago, many features of its civilization can be experienced today.
We only have to look at the pyramids and temples in the country to gain a small understanding. For instance, the Great Pyramid of Giza is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Inventions that are commonly used today were created during this period of civilization, with ink, paper, toothbrushes, and cosmetics all credited to the Ancient Egyptians.
Other aspects of the culture commonly known worldwide include mummification processes, embalmment, hieroglyphics, pharaohs, and gods/goddesses.
Due to the rich history and recognizable features of the period, it’s easy to see why game developers have continued to incorporate them into their titles
Games: Ancient Egyptian symbols as themes
As highlighted, several game developers across various niches have used Ancient Egypt as inspiration. Indeed, with aspects of the ancient civilization synonymous with the period, it has become very easy for gameplay to be based around them.
At the same time, as it is an interesting moment in time, players can be immersed in the action of a game, as they may learn about the period or find it more intriguing than other themes.
iGaming
The iGaming industry has been a big adopter of symbols associated with Ancient Egypt. Games like Eye of Cleopatra, Book of Dead, and Book of Ra Deluxe have all been extremely popular with players. While they are simple to play, these slots have been well-received because of the symbols and visuals used to create the immersive themes. Players can see symbols related to ancient texts, the gods and goddesses that were believed in, and icons that can represent the magical wonders of the time.
Video Games
The video game market hasn’t been short of including Ancient Egypt as its source of inspiration. Everybody’s favorite archaeologist and adventurer, Lara Croft, has been featured in a game based on the theme in Lara Croft And The Temple Of Osiris. At the same time, the Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation title also takes players to explore ancient Egypt. Assassin’s Creed has been a revolutionary title for gamers seeking immersive gaming experiences across historical periods, and its Assassin’s Creed Origins title achieves this with Egypt. This game is so realistic that Egyptologists have used it to teach Egyptian history.
Mobile Games
Not to be outdone, the mobile gaming market has also drawn inspiration from various themes from Ancient Egypt. Several titles have been released that have been popular with fans and have done well in the charts. Egypt: Old Kingdom is one of the top games available on Android, while Jewels of Egypt has been a hit with fans across Android and iOS devices. Each of these have focused on different aspects of the civilization, but they are easily identifiable with the period.
Will Ancient Egypt continue to be used as a game theme?
The influence that the theme has had on games is evident. It has been used a lot, but it has proven popular. As a result, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we continued to see developers use it further.
As tech improves, perhaps we’ll see how this period from around 5,000 years ago will be brought to life and feel extremely modern. With VR technologies on the horizon, it’s only a matter of time before developers integrate this with a historical theme, such as Ancient Egypt.