From the Press Release
1778: Daniel Boone on Trial is a free web app that allows players to explore the circumstances surrounding the little known court-martial of a frontier legend. Based upon actual historic events and documents, 1778 explores the aftermath of Boone’s capture by the Shawnee. On trial for treason, Boone’s reputation suffered greatly during this period as his fellow pioneers attempted to sort fact from fiction, hearsay from truth. By exploring a pre-rendered 3D world, players will be able to talk with historic characters involved in the trial in order to form their own conclusions about the events of that time. The app features a recreation of the town Boone founded in which players have to find and question characters ranging from Boone’s daughter, Jemima, to Richard Henderson, a land magnate who helped to drive American settlement in the early west. By exploring the environment, interacting with historic figures, and discovering hidden historic documents, players of 1778 will have the chance to explore this fascinating episode in America’s frontier history in a uniquely new way.
1778 was developed and released by academic historian Dr. Darren R. Reid as an educational tool designed to provide history enthusiasts of all ages with a chance to explore the past in new way. “Although many people know of Daniel Boone, very few realise that he once faced a court-martial for treason,” Reid explains. “This is a complicated episode in Boone’s life and many of Daniel’s compatriots appeared to believe that he had betrayed them to the Shawnee and the British. The purpose of this app is to give people interested in history a chance to explore this period, to gather evidence, to understand why some stood by the pioneer and others turned against him.”
To learn more, visit the official 1778: Daniel Boone on Trial website.