Enjoying My Time in the Animus: A Quantitative Survey on Perceived Realism and Enjoyment of Historical Video Games

Historical video games rely on a complex, multidimensional framework of perceived realism to drive player satisfaction, moving well beyond the traditional focus on historical accuracy. By analyzing the experiences of 1,317 players within the Assassin’s Creed franchise, research confirms that perceived realism functions through five distinct pillars: character involvement, perceptual pervasiveness, social realism, freedom of choice, and simulational realism. This multidimensional model provides a robust, validated scale for evaluating how players interact with and derive pleasure from simulated historical environments.

The data reveals a clear hierarchy regarding what actually influences player enjoyment. While players consistently rate social realism as the most prominent feature of their experience, it holds no statistical significance in predicting overall satisfaction. Instead, perceptual pervasiveness and character involvement emerge as the primary drivers of enjoyment. When combined with freedom of choice, simulational realism, and player age, these factors account for over 27% of the variance in reported enjoyment levels. Notably, later entries in the series, such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, demonstrate higher scores in these critical areas, suggesting that evolving game design successfully leverages these specific dimensions to enhance the player experience.

Ultimately, the findings suggest that the industry should shift its analytical focus away from binary debates over historical accuracy. Because player enjoyment is fundamentally tied to immersive and narrative-driven elements rather than social realism, developers and researchers alike benefit from prioritizing the psychological and sensory aspects of the gaming experience. This systematic approach confirms that perceived realism is a stable, measurable, and essential component of modern game design, providing a reliable framework for understanding player engagement across diverse historical titles.