Teaching the Renaissance through Video Games/PopCulture

The Renaissance is a very interesting and important area in the history of the world. It is very important that students learn about this era of history but also get the ideas behind it, but given that talking about a time period that is centered around revolution within the arts, some students aren't incredibly excited about it. This is where video games come in.
First in 2007 the Assassins Creed series has taken an interesting twist on World History. Framing historical events around a mythological battle between the Assassin's and the Templar's, the game takes major historical figures and subtlety teaches  students about who those people were.
For Example here is the games take on Leonardo da Vinci:
http://assassinscreed.wikia.com/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci

The wiki mentions some of the more subtle things, such as da Vinci's chronic procrastination or the fact that he was left handed. The third game in the series also gives players a chance to take a look at and use da Vinci's war machines, such as his flying machine or his tank.
Tank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQBE90YjJck 


Flying Machine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORGVc1Sg7e8


By putting the Renaissance in these terms, students become more engaged in a subject that may normally be boring to them.