What is HistoryMaker VR?

HistoryMaker VR is a free VR content creation tool developed by Schell Games — the studio behind I Expect You To Die — and funded through the US Department of Education's Small Business Innovation Research programme. It takes a completely different approach to history education in VR: instead of passively consuming historical content, students become the creators. They step into the shoes of a historical figure, write or read a script, set the stage with props, and record a first-person performance that can be exported as a video and shared with the class.

The experience works like a virtual drama studio. Students choose one of eight US historical figures, select a scene and backdrop (including a green screen option for custom backgrounds), pick relevant props, load their script onto an in-VR teleprompter, and record. A Mirror Mode lets them see how they look in character during rehearsal. When finished, they review multiple takes in a virtual Director's Booth, choose the best, and export to video. The teacher's desktop companion app handles classroom management, script upload, and can provide real-time assistance to the student in the headset.

The content is focused on US history, which means UK teachers will need to frame the eight characters within their own curriculum context — though figures like Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman and Benjamin Franklin have clear global relevance for teaching about democracy, civil rights, and the Enlightenment. The developer has indicated no additional characters are currently planned, which limits the tool's breadth.

Who Can Students Become?

Eight diverse figures from US history, presented in chronological order — spanning from the 1700s through to the present day:

How Well Does It Fit?

HistoryMaker VR is designed for middle school (US equivalent KS3–KS4). The characters are all from US history, which means UK History teachers will need to place them in context — but Lincoln, Tubman, Franklin and Sotomayor have genuine global curriculum relevance for topics including the Enlightenment, civil rights, democracy and the rule of law. The creative assessment angle (producing a video performance) makes it particularly well suited to mixed-ability History, Citizenship and Drama/English crossover projects.

What Are People Saying?

See It in Action

YouTube has classroom demonstration videos and student performance examples. The Schell Games website has official explainers.

How Does It Compare?

Requires a VR-capable Windows PC connected to an Oculus Rift or Rift S headset. Does not run standalone on Meta Quest 2 or 3. Teachers can use the desktop companion app without a headset.