This popular mobile game wants players to help recover lost Revolutionary War treasures

In an innovative twist on mobile gaming, players are being invited to embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for lost artifacts from the American Revolutionary War. This initiative is part of the popular mobile game "June's Journey," developed by Berlin-based Wooga, which allows players to step into the shoes of amateur detective June Parker in 1920s New York. With over 50 million downloads on Google Play, the game has now partnered with historians, museums, and the descendants of original artifact owners to incorporate missing historical items into the gameplay for a limited time. Among the treasures to be discovered is an 18th-century Battle of Cowpens medal, awarded to General Daniel Morgan for his pivotal victory against British forces in 1781. This medal has been missing for more than 200 years, having been stolen from a bank vault. Gamers will also be tasked with finding other significant items, including a coat of arms, a cannon, a military cap adorned with three ostrich feathers, and an embroidered scene. This treasure hunt was inspired by the 1999 film "Stuart Little," where an art historian, Gergely Barki, made a remarkable discovery of a long-lost painting. Ben O’Donnell, the game director, shared insights on how this incident sparked the idea of integrating missing artifacts into gaming. He noted that the game has a predominantly female player base and is especially popular in the United States, making this year’s 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War an ideal opportunity for this unique integration. Wooga sought the expertise of Don Hagist, a historian and editor of the "Journal of the American Revolution," to curate the artifacts featured in the game. Enthusiastically, Hagist reached out to contributors for their suggestions, leading to a treasure trove of potential discoveries. Among the artifacts included is a portion of King George III’s royal coat of arms from Christ Church in Philadelphia, which has historical significance as a site attended by George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The game will also showcase one of the two engraved cannons surrendered at the Battles of Saratoga, which went missing after being used in the defense of the early United States. Additional hidden items include an embroidered textile believed to represent the estate of Revolutionary War general William Alexander, known as Lord Stirling, and a British military coat last recorded in Connecticut in 1901. While these items are featured in the game, players can also explore a dedicated page listing other missing artifacts, encouraging a wider search. Players who believe they may have discovered something significant are directed to a submission channel, where Hagist will assess their findings. His approach emphasizes trust, reassuring individuals that they will not face legal repercussions for possessing these items but rather that their discoveries could contribute to historical knowledge. The game's free-to-play model ensures a vast audience, providing an excellent platform to engage players in historical exploration. O’Donnell expressed hope that this initiative would educate participants about the artifacts and their importance, potentially sparking interest in historical preservation. This initiative runs throughout July, and Arthur Brand, an art crime investigator, praised the concept of connecting gaming with the search for lost historical treasures. He highlighted the potential for increased awareness and interest in history, particularly among younger players, making this a unique intersection of gaming and education.