Julie Levy (she/they), the Managing Director of SASA is an independent scholar with multiple higher degrees in ancient Greek and Roman studies, as well as a writer and activist. Their scholarly interests include archaeogaming, comparative history and linguistics, and Greek lyric poetry.
Julie Levy presented their most recent work, titled, "Dice Forge: Agency, Heroism, and the Gods on the Board," at the Celtic Classics Conference, which was held at Cardiff University on July 9-12. Julie presented their paper remotely as part of the ‘ReConstructing and Narrativizing Antiquity through Contemporary Tabletop Gaming’ panel organized by Charles Oughton and Hamish Cameron. Julie Levy's presentation was the first paper of the session, offering a thought-provoking analysis of their game, Dice Forge, a unique resource gathering game, within the context of Greek mythology. Below is the abstract of Julie’s paper:
Dice Forge: Agency, Heroism, and the Gods on the Board
"Board games offer a unique opportunity for asking questions of how players receive antiquity through a fictional lens. Using Dice Forge as an exemplum, this paper will explore questions of player agency, narrative incentivisation, and implied conclusions about the mythology received within the game.
Dice Forge is a particularly interesting example for a few reasons. The players take on the role of heroes in a competition for divine favor in a pantheon resembling the Greek gods, which is an unusually apt take on the ancient Greek view of heroism. And perhaps most importantly, the main mechanic of the game is rolling dice, and the players can determine not what they will receive, but what the faces will be. The physical aspect of the dice allows for a tactile recreation of more ancient games, and, as the divine tools of the heroes, those dice are 'forged' in the manner of Hephaestos forging armor for their mythic counterparts.
This compares interestingly to other popular board games receiving Greek antiquity. More often, games evoke the historical setting among the poleis, as in 7 Wonders or Attica. Such games are often concerned with war or territory control. Most often, the mechanics are abstracted. Dice Forge thus allows us to ask several meaningful questions about assessing the impact of reception in board gaming. How does player positioning impact their understanding? How do the mechanics of the game interact with the messaging of the narrative? And how do the aesthetics of a game further its narrative?"
A Closer Look Into Dice Forge:
Dice Forge is a unique resource-gathering board game that seamlessly blends Greek mythology with innovative gameplay mechanics, setting itself apart from its counterparts in the ancient gaming genre. The game's standout feature is the ability for players to customize their dice, akin to the crafting of divine tools by Hephaestus, the Greek god of blacksmiths. By immersing players in a competition for the favor of the gods, Dice Forge swaps out the typical focus on war and territorial conquest for a deeper exploration of heroism and divine intervention.
This shift in emphasis prompts players to reflect on the essence of heroism in the ancient world, creating a more thoughtful gaming experience. What truly sets Dice Forge apart is the element of player agency, where heroes actively shape their destinies by navigating challenges and seeking blessings. This engagement not only boosts player involvement but also aligns with the game's thematic resonance, mirroring the autonomy and valor celebrated in Greek mythological narratives. As players make choices, take risks, and reap rewards, they contribute to a cohesive storytelling experience that deepens their connection with the ancient world.
Julie Levy’s presentation at the Celtic Classics Conference shed light on the intricate relationship between board games, ancient myths, and player engagement. Through her analysis of Dice Forge, Julie highlighted the importance of player agency, narrative incentivization, and thematic consistency in creating a compelling gaming experience. By bridging the gap between ancient history and modern gameplay, Julie’s research opens up new avenues for exploring and interpreting the stories of the past in a contemporary context.
Contact:
@zyllable on Bluesky and Mastodon
Find my most recent writing on archaeogaming and language on Paizomen
And my board game media criticism on my YouTube channel, Zylla’s Athenaeum
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