Gaming for Social Change with Dr Richard Cole

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!

This week we press start on the world of video games. From ancient history to interactive storytelling, we explore not just what games are, but what they might become — and what they can reveal about how we understand the world around us.

Kevin is joined by Dr Richard Cole, Senior Lecturer in Digital Futures in the Department of Classics & Ancient History at the University of Bristol. Together they trace Richard’s journey from a game-loving childhood through to a career exploring how video games, virtual reality, and AI can open up new ways of engaging with history. From Age of Empires and GoldenEye to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the conversation unpacks how games don’t just represent the past — they remix it, reshape it, and invite us to step inside it.

But this isn’t just about entertainment. From immersive VR reconstructions of ancient sites to AI-powered museum experiences, Richard shares how games are becoming powerful tools for inquiry — “machines for asking questions” that allow us to test ideas, explore complex systems, and better understand both the past and ourselves. We also step inside the Bristol Digital Game Lab, where game design is being used to tackle real-world challenges — from algorithmic bias to postnatal mental health — revealing how play, creativity, and collaboration can unlock entirely new ways of thinking.

Then it’s time to pop into the local for a quick Pub Quiz, this round: The History of Video Games. Think you know your classics? Put your gaming knowledge to the test — then check your answers below.

And we’re trying something new… The Big Smoke every week! So tune in next Thursday for more adventurous audio!

So whether you’re levelling up, exploring new worlds, or simply pressing pause for a moment — there’s always a place for you in The Big Smoke.