Pechka: A Korean Independence Story Adventure Set in the Russian Far East
A conversation with Growing Seeds studio/ MazM, the creators of the story adventure game Pechka
Webinar time: March 9th, 2023. 4:00 PM-6:00 PM, Los Angeles Time
Join us for a discussion about Pechka, a story adventure game created by MazM. With the game's creators, we will discuss the game's creative inspiration, the research process, and the significance of the choices the players make in the game. Set in the Russian Far East in the early-twentieth century, the game tells the story of Korea's struggle for independence from Japan through the eyes of virtual Korean youths who lived through the period. Beyond simply conveying historical knowledge, the game wants the player to experience the struggles of real people living in that era. The game's title is derived from "Pechka", the nickname of the Korean independence leader Choi Jae-Hyung featured in the game.
About Growing Seeds Corporation
Growing Seeds Corporation (자라나는 씨앗) is a studio that creates story games based on classic literature and history under the MazM brand. Since 2016, we have created fandom by making games with various classical literature such as "The Wizard of Oz," "Jekyll and Hyde," and "The Phantom of the Opera." In 2020, Korea's painful early 20th century history was depicted in a story game release, Pechka. MazM aims to impress and empathize with the younger generation by creating story games based on literature and history, the cultural assets of mankind.
Participants from Growing Seeds
Hyo Taek Kim
Founder/CEO, Director of Pechka Ex-Nexon Korea
Ji Young Kim
Game Designer, Scenario Writer for Pechka Background: BA in Content Media
Ji Soo Song
Scenario Writer, Pechka Background: Web novel writer
Yong Zae Kim
Expert supprorting Pechka's scenario writing Background: Hanyang University ERICA Campus, Ansan, Korea (Film History) Korean Academy of Film Arts, Seoul, Korea (M.F.A., Film Directing)
Joined by
Dr. Hee Jin Lee
Pony Chung Fellow and Research Professor at Korea University in Seoul. Scholar of Korean literature and culture.
Yee Rem Kim
PhD Student in Modern Korean History, UCLA
Sixiang Wang
Assistant Professor, UCLA
About the Games and Korean History Webinar Series
Sponsored by the Center for Korean Studies, UCLA
Co-sponsored by The Choson History Society
This webinar series brings together game creators, history teachers and scholars, and the gaming community through discussions over Korean history and its simulation. It views "gaming," whether as classroom simulations, board games, or digital media, as a form of historiography in its own right. Rather than approach history in games merely as "content," it considers the questions of position-taking, simulation, agency, and representation in games as powerful ways of engaging with Korea's past.