![Esther Wright FHEA FRHistS](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/7956?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Esther Wright
(hi/ei)
FHEA FRHistS
- Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig
Timau a rolau for Esther Wright
Uwch Ddarlithydd mewn Hanes Digidol
Ysgol y Dyniaethau Byd-eang
Trosolwg
I work in the field of Historical Game Studies, and my research explores the way that historical video games make meaning from and represent the past. My work argues for the importance of studying promotional materials, developer branding strategies, and other types of paratextual materials associated with the development and release of historical games, as well as the challenges of accessing and interpreting these types of born-digital sources. These materials are important digital sites and spaces through which game developers perform the role of historian and manage expectations for "historical authenticity" among players and critics. I use promotional materials to offer more nuanced interpretations of the influence of existing historical knowledge and historical popular culture on game development and marketing decisions. My work explores the way that discourses and ideas about what "history" is are commodified and used to sell digital experiences of different pasts, and make claims about their historical value to different audiences.
Mae fy ymchwil yn cael ei gefnogi gan UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship: Past, Present and Futures of Historical Games. Mae'r Gymrodoriaeth yn datblygu prosiectau ymchwil arloesol, hirdymor o gynulleidfaoedd a diwydiant tra'n rhoi cydweithredu a deialog traws-sector wrth wraidd, gan ganolbwyntio safbwyntiau a straeon y bobl sy'n gwneud ac yn ymgysylltu â gemau fideo hanesyddol. Mae'r Gymrodoriaeth yn anelu at newid y mathau o straeon rydyn ni'n eu hadrodd am gemau fideo, gan herio camsyniadau a hyrwyddo eu pwysigrwydd fel ffurf ddiffiniol o ddiwylliant hanesyddol poblogaidd yn yr 21ain ganrif.
Rwy'n gyd-gynullydd (gyda Nick Webber ac Iain Donald) y Rhwydwaith Gemau Hanesyddol, gofod ar gyfer cydweithio rhwng academyddion, gweithwyr proffesiynol amgueddfeydd a threftadaeth a gwneuthurwyr gemau.
Rydym yn gyd-olygyddion Writing Game Histories (Bloomsbury, 2026), cyfrol o draethodau sy'n canolbwyntio ar fethodoleg sy'n cyflwyno dulliau allweddol o astudiaethau gemau hanesyddol o ymchwil ac ymarfer.
Yng Nghaerdydd, yn ddiweddar, rwyf wedi cyd-arwain y gwaith o ddatblygu gweithgareddau i atgyfnerthu arbenigedd y Brifysgol mewn Ymchwil Dyniaethau a Diwylliannau Digidol – ar draws disgyblaethau, ac yn cynnwys ymchwilwyr ym mhob cam gyrfa – ac rydym wedi sefydlu canolfan ymchwil yn ddiweddar fel llwyfan ar gyfer y gwaith parhaus hwn.
Rwyf hefyd yn olygydd cyfres ar gyfer y gyfres Gemau Fideo a'r Dyniaethau, a gyhoeddwyd gan DeGruyter.
Cyhoeddiad
2026
- Wright, E. 2026. Histories of Fallout: Competing pasts and brand identities. Games and Culture 21 (8), pp.2030-2049. (10.1177/15554120251404108)
- Wright, E. 2026. Advertising America in Rockstar Games. In: Cook, K. , Hougton, R. and Kempshall, C. eds. The Routledge Companion to Video Games and History. Routledge
- Aghoro, N. et al., 2026. International perspectives on video games and the humanities today. [Online].https://gespielt.hypotheses.org/: Hypotheses. (10.58079/16a8r)Available at: https://doi.org/10.58079/16a8r.
- Coltrain, J. et al., 2026. ‘Research is a creative process’: Writing history with games. In: Wright, E. , Donald, I. and Webber, N. eds. Writing Game Histories. Bloomsbury. , pp.227-251.
- Wright, E. , Webber, N. and Donald, I. 2026. Introduction: Where and what is historical game studies, now?. In: Wright, E. , Donald, I. and Webber, N. eds. Writing Game Histories. Bloomsbury. , pp.1-20.
2025
- Wright, E. and Finnegan, D. 2025. Playful heritage: Video game creation as interdisciplinary historical engagement. Journal of Cinema and Media Studies [Teaching Media] 10 (4)
- Wright, E. 2025. Tore C. Olsson, Red Dead's History: A Video Game, and Obsession, and America's Violent Past [Book Review]. American Historical Review 130 (3), pp.1362-1364. (10.1093/ahr/rhaf278)
2024
- Wright, E. 2024. “Layers of history”: History as construction/constructing history in Pentiment. ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories 6 (1) 191.
2023
- Wright, E. 2023. Paratexts, “authenticity”, and the margins of digital (game) history. In: Seiwald, R. and Vollans, E. eds. (Not) In the Game: History, Paratexts and Games. Video Games and the Humanities Vol. 13.Berlin: De Gruyter. , pp.33-56. (10.1515/9783110732924-003)
- Donald, I. , Webber, N. and Wright, E. 2023. Video games, historical representation and soft power. Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds 15 , pp.105-127. (10.1386/jgvw_00075_1)
- Wright, E. 2023. '“What’s famous” and “what’s true”: Women’s place from Revolver to Redemption. In: Wright, E. and Wills, J. eds. Red Dead Redemption: History, Myth, and Violence in the Video Game West. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. , pp.128-148.
- Wright, E. and Wills, J. 2023. Introduction. In: Wright, E. and Wills, J. eds. Red Dead Redemption: History, Myth and Violence in the Video Game West. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. , pp.1-25.
2022
- Wright, E. 2022. Still playing with the past: History, historians, and digital games. History & Theory 61 (4), pp.166-177. (10.1111/hith.12280)
- Wright, E. 2022. Rockstar Games and American history: Promotional materials and the construction of authenticity. Berlin: De Gruyter Oldenbourg. (10.1515/9783110716610)
2021
- Wright, E. 2021. Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption, and narratives of "progress". European Journal of American Studies 16 3. (10.4000/ejas.17300)
2018
- Wright, E. 2018. On the promotional context of historical video games. Rethinking History 22 (4), pp.598-608. (10.1080/13642529.2018.1507910)
2017
- Wright, E. 2017. Marketing authenticity: Rockstar Games and the use of cinema in video game promotion. Kinephanos: Journal of Media Studies and Popular Culture 7 (1), pp.131-164.
Adrannau llyfrau
- Wright, E. 2026. Advertising America in Rockstar Games. In: Cook, K. , Hougton, R. and Kempshall, C. eds. The Routledge Companion to Video Games and History. Routledge
- Coltrain, J. et al., 2026. ‘Research is a creative process’: Writing history with games. In: Wright, E. , Donald, I. and Webber, N. eds. Writing Game Histories. Bloomsbury. , pp.227-251.
- Wright, E. , Webber, N. and Donald, I. 2026. Introduction: Where and what is historical game studies, now?. In: Wright, E. , Donald, I. and Webber, N. eds. Writing Game Histories. Bloomsbury. , pp.1-20.
- Wright, E. 2023. Paratexts, “authenticity”, and the margins of digital (game) history. In: Seiwald, R. and Vollans, E. eds. (Not) In the Game: History, Paratexts and Games. Video Games and the Humanities Vol. 13.Berlin: De Gruyter. , pp.33-56. (10.1515/9783110732924-003)
- Wright, E. 2023. '“What’s famous” and “what’s true”: Women’s place from Revolver to Redemption. In: Wright, E. and Wills, J. eds. Red Dead Redemption: History, Myth, and Violence in the Video Game West. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. , pp.128-148.
- Wright, E. and Wills, J. 2023. Introduction. In: Wright, E. and Wills, J. eds. Red Dead Redemption: History, Myth and Violence in the Video Game West. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. , pp.1-25.
Erthyglau
- Wright, E. 2026. Histories of Fallout: Competing pasts and brand identities. Games and Culture 21 (8), pp.2030-2049. (10.1177/15554120251404108)
- Wright, E. and Finnegan, D. 2025. Playful heritage: Video game creation as interdisciplinary historical engagement. Journal of Cinema and Media Studies [Teaching Media] 10 (4)
- Wright, E. 2025. Tore C. Olsson, Red Dead's History: A Video Game, and Obsession, and America's Violent Past [Book Review]. American Historical Review 130 (3), pp.1362-1364. (10.1093/ahr/rhaf278)
- Wright, E. 2024. “Layers of history”: History as construction/constructing history in Pentiment. ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories 6 (1) 191.
- Donald, I. , Webber, N. and Wright, E. 2023. Video games, historical representation and soft power. Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds 15 , pp.105-127. (10.1386/jgvw_00075_1)
- Wright, E. 2022. Still playing with the past: History, historians, and digital games. History & Theory 61 (4), pp.166-177. (10.1111/hith.12280)
- Wright, E. 2021. Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption, and narratives of "progress". European Journal of American Studies 16 3. (10.4000/ejas.17300)
- Wright, E. 2018. On the promotional context of historical video games. Rethinking History 22 (4), pp.598-608. (10.1080/13642529.2018.1507910)
- Wright, E. 2017. Marketing authenticity: Rockstar Games and the use of cinema in video game promotion. Kinephanos: Journal of Media Studies and Popular Culture 7 (1), pp.131-164.
Gwefannau
- Aghoro, N. et al., 2026. International perspectives on video games and the humanities today. [Online].https://gespielt.hypotheses.org/: Hypotheses. (10.58079/16a8r)Available at: https://doi.org/10.58079/16a8r.
Llyfrau
- Wright, E. 2022. Rockstar Games and American history: Promotional materials and the construction of authenticity. Berlin: De Gruyter Oldenbourg. (10.1515/9783110716610)
Ymchwil
Diddordebau Ymchwil:
- Gemau Hanesyddol Digidol
- Gemau Rockstar a Hanes America
- Hyrwyddo a brandio gemau digidol
- Ffynonellau digidol a chadwraeth
- Hanes yr Unol Daleithiau yn y cyfryngau poblogaidd
Dewiswch Ymgysylltu â'r Cyhoedd:
- Podlediad Beyond Solitaire, 'Esther Wright ar Gemau Rockstar a Hanes America' (13 Ebrill 2026)
- 'Gorffennol afreal, presennol chwareus: hanes a ffantasi mewn gemau a'r cyfryngau', Gŵyl Chwilfrydig Cymdeithas Frenhinol Caeredin 2025 (Medi 2025).
- 'Bugzy Malone's Grandest Game' (cyfranogwr), Podlediad Byw Radio 5 (Tachwedd 2022)
- Podlediad Hanes Respawned, ' Pennod 100: Esther Wright ar Gemau Rockstar' (Medi 2022 ).
- 'Esther Wright, Rockstar Games and American History: Promotional Materials and the Construction of Authenticity', New Books Network, (13 Medi 2022)
- 'Keywords in Play Episode 18 - Esther Wright on Rockstar and History', Podlediad Keywords in Play (11 Mawrth 2022).
- 'Fel Llychlynnwr ' (adolygiad o Assassin's Creed: Valhalla), Public Books (Gorffennaf 2021).
- RSE Curious Tea and Talk, ' Gemau fideo a hanes America' , (Gyda Dr. Iain Donald, Abertay - Awst 2021)
- Podlediad History Respawned, ' Pennod 82: Rhwydwaith Gemau Hanesyddol' (Mai 2021)
- Podlediad Hanes Respawned, ' Pennod 71: Haneswyr yn Ymateb i Newyddion Gêm Mwy Nid E3 ' (Awst 2020)
- Y tu hwnt i bodlediad Bechdel, 'Red Fem Redemption?' (Tachwedd 2019)
- 'Red Dead Redemption 2 and the Marketing of a More Inclusive West', Cyfres Gemau Fideo ac Astudiaethau Americanaidd, U.S. Studies Online (Mehefin 2019)
- Podlediad Hanes Respawned, 'Pennod 50: Red Dead Redemption 2' (Rhagfyr 2018)
- 'Women out of Date', Bullet Points (Rhagfyr 2018)
- 'Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire and Battlefield V: the real history behind 3 popular video games', History Extra (2018)
- ScreenBrum (Brum Radio), VIDEOGAMES! (Gorffennaf 2017)
Addysgu
Cynullydd Modiwl:
- HS6310: Gemau Digidol ac Ymarfer Hanes
Rwyf hefyd wedi dysgu ar y modiwlau canlynol:
Israddedig:
- HS0002: Taflunio'r Gorffennol: Cyfryngau Poblogaidd a Threftadaeth
- HS1119: Hanes mewn Ymarfer Rhan 1
- HS1120: Hanes mewn Ymarfer Rhan 2
- HS6202: Darllen Hanes
- HS6203: Dadlau Hanes
- HS6202 Gwneud Hanes: Haneswyr, Tystiolaeth, Cynulleidfaoedd
Addysgwyd Ôl-raddedig:
- HST081: Ffynonellau a Thystiolaeth: Sgiliau Ymchwil Hanesyddol Uwch
- HST082: Gofod, Lle ac Ymchwil Hanesyddol: O Micro-Hanesion i'r Tro Byd-eang
- HST083: Damcaniaethau, Dulliau ac Arferion Hanes
- HST077: Rhyw, Pŵer a Diwylliant
Bywgraffiad
Hydref 2015- Awst 2019: Ph.D. Adran Hanes, Prifysgol Warwick ("Gemau Rockstar a Hanes America"). Ariannwyd gan Ganolfan Rhagoriaeth Ymchwil Ddoethurol y Celfyddydau (CADRE), Prifysgol Warwick.
Hydref 2013-Medi 2014: MA Hanes Adran Hanes, Prifysgol Abertawe. Ariennir gan ESF Mynediad i Feistr Ysgoloriaeth (mewn partneriaeth â Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru).
2010-2013: BA Hanes Adran Hanes, Prifysgol Abertawe.
Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau
- Honourable Mention – British Association for Film, Television and Screen Studies (BAFTSS) 2019 award for "Best Doctoral Student Article or Chapter" (for "Marketing Authenticity: Rockstar Games and the Use of Cinema in Video Game Promotion")
Aelodaethau proffesiynol
Fellow, Royal Historical Society (2022-)
Early Career Member, Royal Historical Society (2020-2022)
Fellow, Higher Education Academy (2022-)
Safleoedd academaidd blaenorol
Awst 2023 - Uwch Ddarlithydd mewn Hanes Digidol, Ysgol Hanes, Archaeoleg a Chrefydd, Prifysgol Caerdydd
Awst 2020 - Gorffennaf 2023 Darlithydd mewn Hanes Digidol, Ysgol Hanes, Archaeoleg a Chrefydd, Prifysgol Caerdydd
Ionawr 2020 - Gorffennaf 2020 Darlithydd Gwâd, Adran y Celfyddydau Cyfryngau, Prifysgol Royal Holloway Llundain
2019 - 2020 Cymrawd Gyrfa Gynnar , Sefydliad Astudiaethau Uwch, Prifysgol Warwick
2018 - 2019 Tiwtor Cyswllt, Adran Hanes, Prifysgol Warwick
Pwyllgorau ac adolygu
2025
- Golygydd y gyfres: Gemau Fideo a'r Dyniaethau
2024
- Pwyllgor trefnu'r gynhadledd: History in Practice 2024 (#HAP24). 6 Mawrth 2024. Prifysgol Caerdydd. Gyda'r Sefydliad Ymchwil Hanesyddol, y Gymdeithas Hanes Frenhinol, a'r Archifau Cenedlaethol.
- Aelod o'r rheithgor: Körber Stiftung XR-Gwobr Hanes 2024.
2023
- Cyd-drefnydd: Re-Playing with History: Revisiting Historical Games Studies Workshop. 19 Mehefin 2023. Cymdeithas Ymchwil Gemau Digidol (DiGRA) 2023, Sevilla, Sbaen.
2022
- Bwrdd Cynghori: War Games Live a War Games Jam, Imperial War Museum, Llundain (2022-2023).
- Bwrdd Cynghori: Bwrdd Cynghori Cynnwys Orielau Sain a Golwg, Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Gwyddoniaeth a'r Cyfryngau (2022-).
- Bwrdd Cynghori: Rhaglen Addysg Archaeogaming Cynghrair Achub Astudiaethau Hynafol (2022-).
2021
- Cyd-gynullydd y Rhwydwaith Gemau Hanesyddol (2021-).
2020:
- Trefnydd y Gynhadledd: Presennol a Dyfodol Hanes a Gemau. 28 Chwefror 2020. Prifysgol Warwick. Wedi'i ariannu gan y Sefydliad Astudiaethau Uwch, Prifysgol Warwick.
- Adolygydd cynnig monograff: Routledge (Astudiaethau Cyfryngau, Diwylliannol a Chyfathrebu); Bloomsbury.
- Adolygiad Crynodeb Cynhadledd: Cynhadledd Hanes a Gemau 2020
- Bwrdd Cynghori: Cyfres Gemau Fideo a'r Dyniaethau, De Gruyter.
2018:
- Pwyllgor Trefniadaeth y Gynhadledd: Hapchwarae'r Gothig, 13 Ebrill 2018 ym Mhrifysgol Sheffield. Noddir gan Goleg y Celfyddydau a'r Dyniaethau White Rose.
2017:
- Trefnydd y Gynhadledd (gyda Hannah Graves, Prifysgol Warwick): Hardboiled History: A Noir Lens on America's Past, Mai 19eg 2017. Noddir gan Warwick History, Canolfan Ymchwil Dyniaethau Warwick, a Chymdeithas Astudiaethau Americanaidd Prydain (BAAS).
Meysydd goruchwyliaeth
- Astudiaethau Gêm Hanesyddol
- Dyniaethau Digidol
Goruchwyliaeth gyfredol
News articles
Contact Details
+44 29208 74742
Adeilad John Percival , Ystafell 4.15, Rhodfa Colum, Caerdydd, CF10 3EU
Themâu ymchwil
Arbenigeddau
- dyniaethau digidol
- Hanes digidol
- Gemau fideo
- Gemau fideo hanesyddol
