Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans (video game)

In 2008, it was announced that newly formed publisher Slitherine Strategies was to publish games based on the Horrible Histories book series for PC, Nintendo DS and Wii,^[1][2][3][4] following their previous title Commander: Europe at War.^[5] This constituted their first Horrible Histories release after being successful in securing a video game license from Scholastic.^[6] MCVUK noted it was unusual for a publisher to receive a license from a literary work, as video game licenses from film or TV were much more common.^[7] They contracted Italian company Virtual Identity as the game's developer, their sophomore effort after the Wii game Pirate Party: Adventures of the Black Corsair.^[8] At the time Scholastic noted that fans of the Horrible Histories franchise had been waiting for brand extension into the interactive space, adding that the Slitherine was known for creating historical computer gaming experiences while expressing a hope that the title would draw gamers to the book series.^[2] Meanwhile, Slitherine was excited to enter the video gaming sector with this "powerful property",^[1] and hoped to create a series of console historical video games based on this license^[9] to coincide with the concurrently airing CBBC series Horrible Histories.^[10] Slitherine asked Deary to write for the game, to ensure it has the same style and feel of the books.^[7]

The name of the new game Horrible Histories Ruthless Romans was announced on March 12, 2009, by Slitherine Strategies and distribution partner Koch Media,^[6] along with the fact that the game was being developed by Virtual Identity.^[11] Nintendo Life felt it was a great opportunity as the target age for Horrible Histories books are generally entering the video gaming market, while the Roman era provided a multitude of possibilities.^[8] The game was presented at the Game Based Learning conference that month, at which Deary professed his belief that "computer games are an ideal opportunity to teach and entertain".^[12] Slitherine expressed that the game, their first project targeted toward a younger demographic was both intriguing and challenging.^[13] Three different North American release dates were published by GameSpot: January 26, 2010,^[14] April 27, 2010^[15] and June 24, 2010^[16] On November 23, 2009 it was announced that Signature Devices subsidiary Graffiti Entertainment has secured a distribution deal for the game across North America.^[17] The game was released in English, Français, Italiano, Deutsch, and Español.^[18] The Nintendo DS version was intended to be more single-player oriented, focusing on exploration and story.^[7] According to IGN, the Nintendo DS version of the game was cancelled.^[19] The product launch involved: "various media outlets [being] involved in the trade relationships with a goal of supporting the game through advertising online and in print, and leveraging co-marketing activities with other Horrible Histories licence holders".^[7]

In the game's "Story Mode" the player assumes the role of Rassimus, a young Dacian man that escaped during the peasant riots. Rassimus was captured by Lucius, leader of the fifth Roman Legion, sent there to suppress the Dacian strike. Rassimus later becomes under Lucius Gladius' control and begins training at the gladiator school of Rome to become the champion gladiator and acquire his freedom.^[20] The portions of the narrative which set up and progress the story are narrated by Deary, with "accompanying stills presented in comic-book fashion".^[8] The game is built up by 3D polygons "with flat features and textures in the style of the book illustrations" by Martin Brown.^[8] The game taught players historical information in a "less academic and more engaging form".^[21]