An art historian has used her expertise to help build the world of ninth century Baghdad for video game Assassin's Creed after her son introduced her to the platform.
Glaire Anderson, of Edinburgh College of Art, worked with game developers Ubisoft on Assassin's Creed Mirage on the upcoming instalment in the popular franchise. Dr Anderson provided expertise on medieval Islamic history, art, architecture, archaeology and civilisation to Ubisoft's in-house history team, and contributed to a new educational feature, History Of Baghdad, which offers players an interactive way to learn more about the game's setting.
She originally began using video game engines during her research to visualise historic environments and architecture, and discovered Assassin's Creed after her son, who is now aged 24, suggested it. Dr Anderson, who specialises in the history of medieval Islamic art and architecture, said: "I showed my work to my son, who was about 11 at the time, and he said, 'Oh mom, if you're interested in that kind of stuff you should check out Assassin's Creed.'
