While it’s now accepted by many that video games are an art form, it still might be hard to believe that one is featured in an exhibit at the same museum that’s home to Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”: The Louvre in Paris.
But this week, Xbox and World’s Edge Studio announced a partnership with what is arguably the most prestigious museum in the world for its new exhibition, “Mamluks 1250–1517.”
For those who are unaware of how the gaming studios connect to this aspect of the Egyptian Syrian empire: The Mamluks cavalry are among the many units featured in Xbox and World’s Edge Studio’s “Age of Empires” video game franchise. The cavalry is a fan favorite choice in the game centered around traversing the ages and competing against rival empires, particularly in “Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.”
Presented at the Louvre until July 28, the exhibit “Mamluks 1250–1517″ recounts “the glorious and unique history of this Egyptian Syrian empire, which represents a golden age for the Near East during the Islamic era,” per its official description. “Bringing together 260 pieces from international collections, the exhibition explores the richness of this singular and lesser-known society through a spectacular and immersive scenography.”
This marks the first time a video game franchise has collaborated with the Louvre Museum, with installations and events that occur both in person at the museum and online through the “Age of Empires” game:
- Official “Louvre Museum” scenario in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Players can embody General Baybars and Sultan Qutuz at the really heart of the Ain Jalut battle
(1260), which opposed the Mamluk Sultanate to the Mongol Empire. This scenario, specially
created for the occasion, is already available in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (see on
http://www.ageofempire.com/lelouvre for instructions on finding the map in the game) [Live
Tuesday 10th at 9am PT/6pm BST]. - Exclusive Gaming Night on Twitch Live from the Louvre
On Thursday, June 12, at 8 PM, streamer and journalist Samuel Etienne (1.1M French
Streamer) will replay live from the exhibition “Mamluks 1250-1517” at the Louvre the official
“Louvre Museum” scenario to relive the famous Battle of Ain Jalut on the game Age of Empires
II: Definitive Edition, in the presence of Le Louvre Teams and one of the studio’s developers.
This is an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Mamluks and their representation
in the various episodes of the saga. - Cross-Interview: The Louvre x Age of Empires
To discover more, an interview featuring Adam Isgreen, creative director at World’s Edge, the
studio behind the franchise, and Souraya Noujaïm and Carine Juvin, curators of the exhibition,
is available on the YouTube channels of the Louvre and Age of Empires. - Mediation and Gaming Sessions at the Museum
Museum visitors at the Louvre are invited to test the scenario of the Battle of Ain Jalut,
specially designed for the Mamluk exhibition, in the presence of a Louvre mediator and an
Xbox representative during an exceptional series of workshops. The sessions will take place on
Fridays, June 20, 27, and 4 & 11 of July. All information and registrations are available here:
www.louvre.fr
“World’s Edge is honoured to collaborate with Le Louvre,” head of World’s Edge studio Michael Mann said. “The ‘Age of Empires’ franchise has been bringing history to life for more than 65 million players around the world for almost 30 years. We’ve always believed in the great potential for our games to spark an interest in history and culture. We often hear of teachers using ‘Age of Empires’ to teach history to their students and stories from our players about how ‘Age of Empires’ has driven them to learn more, or even to pursue history academically or as a career. This opportunity to bring the amazing stories of the Mamluks to new audiences through the Louvre’s exhibition is one we’re excited to be a part of. We hope that through the excellent work of the Louvre’s team, the legacy of the Mamluks can be shared around the world, and that people enjoy their stories as they come to life through ‘Age of Empires.’”
“We are delighted to welcome ‘Age of Empires’ as part of the exhibition Mamluks 1250–1517, through a unique partnership that blends the pleasures of gaming with learning and discovery,” Souraya Noujaim, director of the Department of Islamic Arts and chief curator of the exhibition at le Louvre Museum, said. “It is a way for the museum to engage with diverse audiences and offer a new narrative, one that resonates with contemporary sensitivities, allowing for a deeper understanding of artworks and a greater openness to world history. Beyond the game, the museum experience becomes an opportunity to move from the virtual to the real and uncover the true history of the Mamluks and their unique contribution to universal heritage.”
See video and images below from the “Age of Empires” in-game event and the in-person exhibit at the Louvre.