Who can prosecute possible war crimes? Will only existing international criminal law be applied? Should the death penalty be used? And will people who are not present at the trial be tried? These and numerous other questions confronted the creators of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. Many of them are still hotly debated today. A new educational game asks visitors to the Memorium Nuremberg Trials: How would you decide?
International criminal law – also a matter of negotiation
As part of the game, players will encounter the opinions and ideas of real historical figures, such as US Chief Prosecutor Robert Jackson, as well as historical sources. These will help them to make the necessary decisions.
In addition, players will experience the consequences of the decisions they make. The objective of the game is to deal with international crimes and to find solutions for post-conflict situations. By using the biographies of real historical figures, the game aims to promote empathy and understanding of the position of decision-makers and to reflect on one's own ethical position. It shows that international criminal law is often a matter of political compromise and cannot be taken for granted.
The educational game therefore aims to be more than just entertainment and is hence part of the genre of serious games. The Fritz Bauer Institute in Frankfurt am Main, the House of Games of the Museums of the City of Nuremberg and the degree courses Game Design and Management and Media Design and Management at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences have been secured as cooperation partners.
Starting in December 2025 the game will be available as an app for visitors to the Memorium's permanent exhibition in German and English, but will also be available to the public via app stores. The game is designed for groups and individuals and is aimed at both young people and adults.
The project is funded by the Foundation Erinnerung, Vergangenheit und Zukunft (EVZ) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) as part of the Education Agenda NS-Injustice.
