About Serious Games

The fact is that many of today’s young people spend a substantial amount of time playing entertainment games. Teachers and parents often resist what they regard as wasted time as they observe children playing entertainment games. We take the opposite view. We recognize the power of gaming and embrace its application to the formal education setting.

 

Introducing: The Migrants’ Chronicles: 1892 – An Educational Gaming Experience

 The Migrants’ Chronicles: 1892 is an interactive educational video game that immerses players in the historical migration of Luxembourgish people to the United States in 1892. Developed by the University of Luxembourg, the Cologne Game Lab (TU Cologne), and Carleton College (MN) USA, the game is available for free on Google Play and the App Store. Designed for students, educators, and history enthusiasts, it is offered in both English and Luxembourgish, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience.

What Makes This Game Special?
The Migrants’ Chronicles: 1892 invites players to step into the shoes of historical migrants and experience their challenges and triumphs through immersive storytelling and decision-making. Players choose from three characters, each with a unique perspective:

• Elise Beffort, a widow traveling with her two young children.
• Peter and Susanna Punnel, a wealthy couple from the Moselle region.
• Michel Brück, a craftsman with limited resources.

Resource management, critical decision-making, and the unpredictability of migration are core gameplay elements, offering a deep understanding of the migrant experience.

Why Play?

• Historically Accurate: The game draws from rigorous research, integrating key events like the opening of Ellis Island and real historical figures.
• Interactive Gameplay: Players make choices that shape the story, ensuring every playthrough is unique.
• Educational Focus: Tools like in-game diaries and reflection opportunities make it ideal for classroom learning, fostering critical thinking and empathy.
• Multilingual Support: Available in both English and Luxembourgish.
• Engaging for All: Whether for students, museum-goers, or history enthusiasts, the game offers an innovative way to explore migration history.

Player Reactions
Early testers, aged 15, shared positive feedback:

• “I like that we have to manage our money.”
• “You can choose what you want to do, so you can create a story.”
• “I loved taking care of different characters, not just one.”

The game scored an average of 8/10 for engagement, with players appreciating its depth and replayability.

Where to Download
The game is available now for free on Google Play and the App Store.

Watch the official trailer below to see The Migrants’ Chronicles: 1892 in action. 

Behind the Game
The Migrants’ Chronicles: 1892 is the result of collaboration between historians, game designers, and educators, supported by funding from:

• University of Luxembourg: Leading historical research and ensuring educational alignment.
• Cologne Game Lab (TU Cologne): Transforming historical insights into an engaging digital experience.
• Carleton College (USA): Adapting the game for U.S. classrooms and audiences.
• Sponsors: Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, Digital Luxembourg, and SCRIPT of the Luxembourg Ministry of Education.

Discover the past through the lens of interactive storytelling with The Migrants’ Chronicles: 1892. For more details, contact Marie-Paule Jungblut, PhD, at marie-paule.jungblut@uni.lu.