I have recently come across a video game of all things that I thought everyone might be interested in. I figured the library forum was the best place for it.
Mount and Blade: Warband in short is what I would call a sandbox sort of game with a ton of RPG elements that puts you in the land of Calradia where several different nations are at war. The era is based on medieval Europe, the Middle East, and the Russian steppes. What you get is 5 nations with their own strengths and weaknesses as far as warfare and a large land full of villages castles and towns.
You start by yourself with a few coins, and a few weapons and you have to make your way in the world. You can choose to be a traveling merchant, a mercenary warlord, a vassal to any of the other kings, or become the king of your own 6th nation.
Here is the web page for it:
http://www.mountandbladewarband.com/