Article

A War Story: World War II, Memory, and Experience

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Abstract

This paper explores World War II and American collective memory in the video game Call of Duty: World at War, (Activision 2008) and how it influences public understanding of the conflict. Drawing on oral histories as well as historical scholarship, the paper analyzes game missions in an effort to discover World at War’s historical fidelity. The findings reveal that many of the game’s missions remain faithful real world locations and dates. While the game encourages historical empathy and moral reflection, its portrayal omits key racial and ethical complexities, particularly in the Pacific theater. This omission reinforces narratives of American exceptionalism when compared to the game’s depiction of the Eastern Front. Nevertheless, World at War offers a unique digital space where players can engage with the trauma and memory of World War II, highlighting the potential and limits of gaming as a medium for historical representation.

How to Cite:

Johnson, J., (2025) “A War Story: World War II, Memory, and Experience”, University of Massachusetts Undergraduate History Journal 9(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/ncv2-q389