Solve history's hidden mysteries

A new wave of historical games is helping China's youth engage with the past through immersive storytelling, role-play, and research.

On Aug 29, a group of students gathered around a locked box in a classroom at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB). When the lock clicked open, they discovered a booklet titled Truth, containing evidence of Japan's aggressive actions following the September 18 Incident of 1931.

This moment was part of the beta test for Dawn of Truth, the latest jubensha (scripted mystery game) developed by Hongfan, an educational technology company.

Set against the backdrop of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), the game immerses players in a critical historical moment.

Drawing inspiration from the "Nine Gentlemen" in Shenyang, Liaoning province — intellectuals who, in 1932, secretly compiled bilingual materials exposing Japan's crimes in Northeast China — the game highlights their efforts to rally international support for China's anti-aggression cause.

"I want to use methods that young people enjoy to bring history to life," said Cao Jiangbin, founder of Hongfan and organizer of the beta test. "They are interested in history; they just need a way to connect with it."

After years of working in youth education, Cao noticed the growing popularity of jubensha among Chinese young people in 2019. At the time, most scripted games focused on murder mysteries, with few exploring historical themes based on solid research.

"The appeal of these games lies in their immersive, narrative-driven nature," Cao explained. "I realized they could act as a 'container' for historical knowledge, turning passive listening into active exploration."

Two years later, Cao completed his first historical jubensha, A Pure Love for China, which tells the story of Li Bai, a legendary wireless operator for the Communist Party of China. Li was sent to Shanghai after Japanese militarists launched their full-scale invasion in 1937.

In the game, players take on the role of police officers searching for the secretly detained Li, following clues that retrace his steps.

"Heroes aren't just portraits on a wall; they're real people with stories we can relate to," Cao said. "Through the game, young people can experience the emotions and choices of historical figures, turning 'their story' into 'my story'."

To ensure historical accuracy, the team conducts thorough research before designing each game.

"While each player may be an ordinary person, we make sure their journey aligns with historical context and logic, with every element supported by evidence," explained Duan Xuchao, a 24-year-old marketing partner and game designer at Hongfan.

Duan said the team draws on historical materials and biographies from trusted sources, such as the Central Literature Publishing House, and consults experts from the Chinese Martyrs Glorification Promotion Association under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

"To avoid misinterpretation or factual errors, key historical figures are portrayed by hosts or professional NPCs (non-player characters) rather than players," Duan added.