Representation of Saladin Ayyubi in Digital Games

Historical narratives shape collective memory, and digital games are significant media for disseminating and reconstructing historical events and figures. This study examines the representation of Saladin Ayyubi in Western-centric digital strategy games, analyzing how his character is constructed and the extent to which these portrayals align with historical reality. Using a qualitative research approach and descriptive analysis, five widely recognized games (Age of Empires II, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, Stronghold Crusader, Crusader Kings III, and Medieval II: Total War) were selected for analysis based on their historical themes and extensive player bases. The findings indicate that Saladin is consistently depicted as a figure with seven dominant personality traits: peacefulness, benevolence, hospitality, mercy, wisdom, religiosity, and tolerance towards other faiths. While most games present Saladin in a favorable light, portraying him as a just and chivalrous leader, some instances exhibit distortions or selective dramatization to fit the games' narrative frameworks. Notably, certain portrayals reinforce the Western perception of Saladin as a "noble enemy", reflecting broader historical and cultural perspectives.