| Title | The Tale of Bistun |
| Developer(s) | Black Cube Games |
| Publisher(s) | IMGN.PRO |
| Genre | PC > Casual, Action, Adventure, Indie |
| Release Date | Jul 13, 2022 |
| Size | 2.34 GB |
| Get it on | Steam Games |
| Report | Report Game |
The Bistun Game is an ancient Iranian game that dates back to the Achaemenid Empire, which ruled from 550 BCE to 330 BCE. It is believed that the game was originally played by the kings and courtiers of the empire as a way to pass the time and display their strategic skills.
The Origins of the Game
The name “Bistun” comes from the famous Bistun inscriptions carved into the side of Mount Bistun in western Iran. These inscriptions tell the story of King Darius I and his conquests, and it is believed that the Bistun Game was created during his reign.
The game was said to have been invented by the king’s court astrologer, who used the game to teach Darius I and his courtiers about the alignment of the stars and its influence on their fates. It is also believed that the game had spiritual and divinatory purposes, and some sources claim that the pieces used in the game were based on the constellations.
The Rules of the Game
The Bistun Game was played on a board similar to a chessboard, with 64 squares in alternating black and white colors. The players would sit facing each other, with the board between them.
There were 6 types of pieces in the game, each with its own unique movement and purpose. A player would start with 12 pieces, and the goal was to capture the opponent’s pieces and reach the other side of the board with their main piece to win.
- The king piece, known as the Shah, could move one step in any direction, but could not capture any other piece.
- The queen piece, known as the Farzin, could move diagonally, horizontally, or vertically, but could not jump over other pieces.
- The rook piece, known as the Rokh, could move horizontally or vertically without any limitations.
- The knight piece, known as the Faras, could move in an L-shaped pattern, two squares horizontally or vertically, and then one square to the left or right.
- The bishop piece, known as the Asb, could move diagonally without any limitations.
- The pawn piece, known as the Sarbaz, could move one step forward, and capture diagonally.
Players would take turns moving their pieces, and a player could capture an opponent’s piece by moving their own piece onto the square occupied by the opponent’s piece. The game was won by either capturing all of the opponent’s pieces or by reaching the opponent’s side of the board with the main piece.
The Decline and Resurgence of the Bistun Game
After the fall of the Achaemenid Empire, the popularity of the Bistun Game declined, and the game was eventually forgotten. It was not until the 20th century that the game was rediscovered and revived by archaeologists and historians.
Today, the Bistun Game has gained international recognition, and it is played by people all over the world. It is also featured in museums and cultural centers as an important part of Iranian history and culture.
“The Bistun Game is not just a game, it is a living piece of history that connects us to the ancient world and teaches us about the ingenuity and brilliance of our ancestors.” – Amir Hossein Ferdowsipour, Iranian historian
In Conclusion
The Bistun Game is more than just a game, it is a symbol of the rich history and cultural heritage of Iran. Its intricate gameplay and connection to the Achaemenid Empire make it a fascinating piece of ancient Iranian culture that continues to captivate people to this day.
System Requirements
Minimum:- OS: Windows 10 x64
- Processor: Intel Core i5 4460 | AMD Athlon X4
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 950 | AMD R7 370
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 6 GB available space
- OS: Windows 10 x64
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4670K (4 * 3400) or equivalent; AMD FX-8350 (8 * 4700) or equivalent
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: GeForce GTX 1050 ( 2048 MB); Radeon RX 580 (8192 MB)
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 6 GB available space
How to Download
- Click the "Download The Tale of Bistun" button above.
- Wait 20 seconds, then click the "Free Download" button. (For faster downloads, consider using a downloader like IDM or another fast Downloader.)
- Right-click the downloaded zip file and select "Extract to The Tale of Bistun folder". Ensure you have WinRAR or 7-Zip installed.
- Open the extracted folder and run the game as an administrator.
Note: If you encounter missing DLL errors, check the Redist or _CommonRedist folder inside the extracted files and install any required programs.