Introduction. Toward a virtual history?

The article underlines the qualitative and quantitative weight of video games in the field of popular culture and their value as historical documents. It also recalls the significance of the gaming experience in the cultural education of today's students and the need to analyze the historical background of the products. This monographic issue is both an introduction to game studies and an in-depth study of some specific issues. A brief synopsis of the contributions of the various authors follows, ranging from public history to the debate on violence, from war games to the instrumental use of cartography to gender issues.