Solve history's hidden mysteries

A new wave of historical games is helping China's youth engage with the past through immersive storytelling, role-play, and research.

On Aug 29, a group of students gathered around a locked box in a classroom at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB). When the lock clicked open, they discovered a booklet titled Truth, containing evidence of Japan's aggressive actions following the September 18 Incident of 1931.

This moment was part of the beta test for Dawn of Truth, the latest jubensha (scripted mystery game) developed by Hongfan, an educational technology company.

Set against the backdrop of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), the game immerses players in a critical historical moment.