Roman consuls, medieval knights, renaissance queens,... . Our imagination works best when it is connected to something familiar.
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Like history.
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Sunken Tower specializes in historical game design. From making our own board games to advising game developers, we show how playful the past can be.
What we do
Sunken Tower combines game design with historical expertise. We primarily work with other developers to create the best digital games, although we also design and publish our own historical board games. Creating or checking historical content, writing alternative world histories, or assisting with funding applications: Sunken Tower has a decade of academic and professional experience with the past. We can set up your project from the start or get involved midway through, but here you will find all the historical and creative help you need.
About Sunken Tower
Sunken Tower was founded in 2023 by Bram De Ridder, then researcher in applied history at the University of Leuven. After some quick inquiries into how the gaming industry uses the past, Bram took up an assignment for the Flemish Audiovisual Fund (Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds - VAF). On behalf of the VAF he coached the ambitious VR-startup Head First Studios, helping them to improve their use of historical, mythological and religious game elements. Out of this great experience, Sunken Tower was born.
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Sunken Tower works from the principle that historical accuracy is important, but that historical fun is crucial in game design. We help game developers to find the historical information they need, but we always ensure that these elements fit with the goals and audience of the overall project.
The Sunken Tower team
Dr. Bram De Ridder - Design and consulting
Bram has over a decade of experience in high-level historical research. Having studied and worked at the Universities of Leuven, Antwerp, Cambridge and Harvard, he currently is a researcher and consultant at Branwen Advisors. He started working with the gaming industry in 2021, having rediscovered Age of Empires II during the pandemic.
Joren De Ridder - Playtesting and community
A highly motivated primary school teacher in Brussels, Joren has extensive experience with board games. He is twofold Belgian champion Carcassonne and appeared three times at the World Championships. He is also reigning national champion in the Dominion card game and in the boardgame Cacao (tournament).
© Bram De Ridder info@sunkentower.be
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