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When I was in school, I loved history, but I struggled with traditional learning methods, particularly the endless reading of dusty textbooks filled with dates and facts. Despite this, my grades were surprisingly high. Why was that? I came to realize that gaming was, for me, a much more effective way to learn history. Through games like Assassin’s Creed, Hearts of Iron, and Rome: Total War (and many more..), I found myself deeply immersed in historical settings, where I could strategize, explore, and experience key moments firsthand. This hands-on approach not only boosted my understanding but also helped me achieve better grades. It made me wonder: why isn’t history taught this way in schools? In today's classrooms, students are facing more challenges than ever before—over 1 million children in England alone struggle with learning and engagement. Many have difficulty focusing, retaining information, and staying motivated. Studies show that traditional methods are falling short in meeting the needs of today’s learners. So why not use tools that kids are already passionate about, like video games, to make learning more interactive and engaging? Discovery mode: a new way to look at game-based learning Through my work at GameGraded, where I research skills through gaming, I came across Games for Change (G4C)— an organization that uses video games to enhance education. G4C uses games to teach real-world topics and make learning more fun and interactive. They focus on important subjects like history and social issues, helping students learn in a more engaging way. I was especially interested to learn that G4C used Assassin’s Creed in their educational programs. The game’s historical accuracy and immersive experience let students explore the past in a way traditional lessons can’t, making learning more exciting and effective. Assassin’s Creed is an action-adventure game series known for its rich historical settings, where players take on the role of skilled assassins navigating major historical events. While the game offers a deep dive into history, it also features a lot of combat, which I thought might not seem ideal for a classroom setting with younger children. However, that’s when I discovered the existence of Discovery Mode. This feature allows players to explore historical settings without combat or missions, focusing purely on learning about history. It offers an immersive way to experience historical cities, meet famous figures, and witness key moments in history, making it a powerful educational tool.  In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey's Discovery Mode by Ubisoft, players can explore the origins of democracy in Athens and learn about its historical significance. Source: Ubisoft Exploring Ancient Civilizations What makes Discovery Mode so unique is that it lets players explore historical locations at their own pace. Whether it’s ancient Egypt, Greece, or medieval Paris, you can take guided tours, interact with NPCs, and discover what life was really like back then. You’ll learn about the daily routines of the people—how they dressed, what they ate, and even how they communicated through language. In ancient Egypt, you can hear reconstructed Ancient Egyptian spoken by actors, thanks to linguists and Egyptologists. In Ptolemaic Alexandria, the streets are alive with conversations in Ancient Greek, voiced by Greek actors using accurate grammar and pronunciation. As you walk through these ancient worlds, you’ll also encounter scrolls in their languages and learn what kind of food people ate. It’s like stepping into a living history book where you can truly experience the past in a fun and educational way. “History is our playground” - Ubisoft during the opening of the announcement of 2012’s Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation presentation. Ubisoft goes to incredible lengths to make Assassin’s Creed as historically accurate and immersive as possible. They pay close attention to every detail—from the architecture of ancient cities to how people dressed and interacted. In titles like Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Ubisoft worked closely with historians and experts to ensure accuracy. A standout example is the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral is so expertly recreated that it feels like you’re actually walking through medieval Paris. Level designer Caroline Miousse spent two years building it, capturing every stone, window, and intricate detail. It's not just a building in the game; players can explore it inside and out, experiencing it with breathtaking architecture. Assassin's Creed isn’t just about walking through old cities or seeing how the common people lived—it’s also about experiencing key moments and meeting famous people who changed history. In the game, you can actually talk to figures like Cleopatra, learning about ancient Egypt and what it was like to be a leader back then. You can also chat with Socrates and dive into his ideas that shaped the way we think today. Instead of just reading about these historical figures, you get to interact with them and understand why they did what they did, which is something no textbook can really teach you. A more effective way to learn Learning history is essential for all of us—it helps us understand the world we live in, learn from past mistakes, and appreciate different cultures and perspectives. But let’s be honest, traditional history lessons can sometimes feel dull and disconnected from real life. That’s where game-based learning, like Assassin’s Creed’s Discovery Mode, changes the old- and maybe outdated school’s curriculum. Game-based learning goes beyond just making history fun--it pulls players into the world of the past, making it feel alive and relevant. Research shows that interactive learning through games can boost cognitive skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving (Alotaibi, 2024). By stepping into historical settings, interacting with key figures, and experiencing events firsthand, players develop a deeper connection to history than they would from just reading a textbook. These immersive experiences spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and create emotional ties to the past, making history not just something to learn but something to live.  In Assassin’s Creed Origins Discovery Mode by Ubisoft, players can explore the revolutionary farming techniques the ancient Egyptians invented. Source: Ubisoft A Future of Learning with Games I now know that games can make history feel real and engaging. While not all lessons can be taught through games, using them in education can help students retain knowledge, stay motivated, and develop important skills. Discovery Mode shows how blending education with interactive experiences can make learning both fun and meaningful. If you’re curious about the soft skills you’ve developed through playing Assassin’s Creed, why not try our GameGraded test? Discover the skills you’ve gained from gaming--by gaming! Will the new Assassin’s Creed also have Discovery mode? On March 20th, the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released, transporting players to 16th-century Japan. This time, you’ll step into the role of a shinobi, navigating the turbulent era of the samurai. In a recent interview from January, Ubisoft revealed that Discovery Mode is not currently planned for Shadows, but they are open to adding it in the future. Given the success of previous educational modes, there's hope that players will one day be able to explore feudal Japan in an even more immersive, historical way. Until then, we can keep discovering history in the most immersive way possible—by playing. Bibliography Alotaibi, M. S. (2024). Game-based learning in early childhood education: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1307881
Thompson, E. (2025, 2 januari). Over 1.5 million children in England struggle with learning engagement, new report reveals — EdTech Innovation Hub. EdTech Innovation Hub. https://www.edtechinnovationhub.com/news/over-1-million-children-in-england-struggle-with-learning-engagement Comments are closed.
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