CMS 998

See this at: mine-control.com| Added on 10/13/06

Figure 1 illustrates the original design of the macro-economy. Notice that all of the drain paths lead back up to the top, forming a closed loop. The impetus for this design was to prevent resource inflation; the theory being that a fixed quantity of... See more

Figure 1 illustrates the original design of the macro-economy. Notice that all of the drain paths lead back up to the top, forming a closed loop. The impetus for this design was to prevent resource inflation; the theory being that a fixed quantity of resources would simply circulate from abstract to concrete and back again thus preventing the inflation that had plagued many similar on-line worlds. While this sounded good in theory, it was a failure in practice. What the designers had not counted on was the deflationary effects of hoarding. What actually happened was that many of the resources accumulated as inventory (box 6) with little flowing back to the top via the drains. As the virtual resources in the "bank" (box 1) dried up, there were no longer resources available to spawn creatures and their loot. The result: the world became boring and the players began to complain loudly. At first, the designers attempted to solve the deflation problem by pumping more resources into the... See less

See this at: jcmc.indiana.edu| Added on 10/01/06

Media scholars have become increasingly concerned with the possible negative social and civic impacts brought on by the diffusion of both traditional media like television and cable and new media such as videogames and the Internet. This concern is... See more

Media scholars have become increasingly concerned with the possible negative social and civic impacts brought on by the diffusion of both traditional media like television and cable and new media such as videogames and the Internet. This concern is perhaps best known as the "bowling alone" hypothesis (Putnam, 2000), which suggests that media are displacing crucial civic and social institutions. According to Putnam, time spent with relatively passive and disengaging media has come at the expense of time spent on vital community-building activities. While few dispute Putnam's richly detailed evidence of the general decline of civic and social life in America during the rise of television, some scholars have argued that online, Internet-based media are exceptions. The evidence to date is mixed (Smith & Kollock, 1999), with some scholars arguing that the Internet's capacity for connecting people across time and space fosters the formation of social networks and personal communities... See less

See this at: gamecareerguide.com| Added on 09/15/06

Many people claim to be video game critics. Hardly any are. They are video game reviewers. There is a clear distinction between a review of a work – a movie, a book, a piece of art, or even a video game – and a critique of one. Movies, literary... See more

Many people claim to be video game critics. Hardly any are. They are video game reviewers. There is a clear distinction between a review of a work – a movie, a book, a piece of art, or even a video game – and a critique of one. Movies, literary works, and pieces of art all have critiques written about them all of the time, so why not video games? It may have to do with the fact that a lot of people still view video games as for children, that games don’t really have anything to say, any depth to them. But whatever the reason (I’m not exploring that issue here), video games are made by a team of people, and each of those individuals wants to leave their mark in some way or another. With so many people coming together to create one thing, how can there not be layers, hidden meanings, subtext behind the work? These meanings may be planned or not, but it is the critics’ job to point them out or, quite possibly, to ‘create’ the artistic work by coming up with meanings simply from critiquing... See less

See this at: gamasutra.com| Added on 09/15/06

Fils-Aime: Wii Console Profitable At Launch [09.14.06] While it has become customary for console manufacturers to sell the hardware, at least initially, at a loss, comments made by Nintendo of America president and chief operating officer Reggie... See more

Fils-Aime: Wii Console Profitable At Launch [09.14.06] While it has become customary for console manufacturers to sell the hardware, at least initially, at a loss, comments made by Nintendo of America president and chief operating officer Reggie Fils-Aime indicate that his company's upcoming Wii platform will be profitable from day one. Microsoft Unveils Zune Media Player, Zune Marketplace [09.14.06] Following earlier confirmation by Microsoft concerning its new Zune line of portable entertainment devices, the company today unveiled its Zune media player, an all-in-one portable device that seems positioned to directly compete against Apple's iPod. Wii Japanese Launch Details Revealed [09.14.06] Following U.S. Wii launch information, it's been revealed that the Wii will sell in Japan for ¥25,000 ($213), minus any bundled software, and will launch on December 2nd, three weeks after the PlayStation 3 on November 11th. [More News] [Search News] | First-Person Advertiser - Talking In-Game... See less

See this at: costik.com| Added on 09/12/06

There's a lotta different kinds of games out there. A helluva lot. Cart-based, computer, CD-ROM, network, arcade, PBM, PBEM, mass-market adult, wargames, card games, tabletop RPGs, LARPs, freeforms. And, hell, don't forget paintball, virtual reality,... See more

There's a lotta different kinds of games out there. A helluva lot. Cart-based, computer, CD-ROM, network, arcade, PBM, PBEM, mass-market adult, wargames, card games, tabletop RPGs, LARPs, freeforms. And, hell, don't forget paintball, virtual reality, sports, and the horses. It's all gaming. But do these things have anything at all in common? What is a game? And how can you tell a good one from a bad one? Well, we can all do the latter: "Good game, Joe," you say, as you leap the net. Or put away the counters. Or reluctantly hand over your Earth Elemental card. Or divvy up the treasure. But that's no better than saying, "Good book," as you turn the last page. It may be true, but it doesn't help you write a better one. As game designers, we need a way to analyze games, to try to understand them, and to understand what works and what makes them interesting. We need a critical language. And since this is basically a new form, despite its tremendous growth and staggering diversity, we need... See less

See this at: games.slashdot.org| Added on 09/10/06

Via Kotaku, a column at Ebert.com going into some depth on the are-games-actually-art debate. Ebert engaged in a public debate on the subject at last week's Conference on World Affairs. From the article: "Going in to the videogame panel, I'd been... See more

Via Kotaku, a column at Ebert.com going into some depth on the are-games-actually-art debate. Ebert engaged in a public debate on the subject at last week's Conference on World Affairs. From the article: "Going in to the videogame panel, I'd been hoping the audience (mostly students) would be fired up about the subject and challenge the panelists, but they were unfortunately pretty passive. Maybe they were intimidated by the rather formal (for Boulder) theater setting, I don't know. Ebert began by explaining why he felt a game (particularly the shoot-shoot, point-scoring kind) was not an experience equivalent to that of reading a great novel like, say, 'The Great Gatsby,' because games don't delve very deeply into what it means to be human." See less

See this at: devbump.com| Added on 09/10/06

gamecareerguide.com has an article about which game dev job positions are in most need as of recently, with special focus on ones that are open to entry-level applicants. "These next few pages of 101 material are designed to give you a crash course... See more

gamecareerguide.com has an article about which game dev job positions are in most need as of recently, with special focus on ones that are open to entry-level applicants. "These next few pages of 101 material are designed to give you a crash course in salary and job title expectations. We’ve mapped out some of the job titles that have been in greatest demand over the last few months with an emphasis on the ones that accept entry-level candidates. Knowing which positions game companies are recruiting most often these days will open up more opportunities for your success and decrease the length of time it takes you to start working." See less

See this at: cruelgame.com| Added on 09/10/06

New York City, September 22 - 24 2006 Will innocents be caught in the cross-fire? Oh, yes. But when your secret weapon is a random act of kindness, it’s only cruel to be kind to other players...

New York City, September 22 - 24 2006 Will innocents be caught in the cross-fire? Oh, yes. But when your secret weapon is a random act of kindness, it’s only cruel to be kind to other players... See less

See this at: costik.com| Added on 09/07/06

There's a lotta different kinds of games out there. A helluva lot. Cart-based, computer, CD-ROM, network, arcade, PBM, PBEM, mass-market adult, wargames, card games, tabletop RPGs, LARPs, freeforms. And, hell, don't forget paintball, virtual reality,... See more

There's a lotta different kinds of games out there. A helluva lot. Cart-based, computer, CD-ROM, network, arcade, PBM, PBEM, mass-market adult, wargames, card games, tabletop RPGs, LARPs, freeforms. And, hell, don't forget paintball, virtual reality, sports, and the horses. It's all gaming. But do these things have anything at all in common? What is a game? And how can you tell a good one from a bad one? Well, we can all do the latter: "Good game, Joe," you say, as you leap the net. Or put away the counters. Or reluctantly hand over your Earth Elemental card. Or divvy up the treasure. But that's no better than saying, "Good book," as you turn the last page. It may be true, but it doesn't help you write a better one. As game designers, we need a way to analyze games, to try to understand them, and to understand what works and what makes them interesting. We need a critical language. And since this is basically a new form, despite its tremendous growth and staggering diversity, we need... See less

See this at: gac.sagepub.com| Added on 09/05/06

To see an article, click its [PDF] link. To review many abstracts, check the boxes to the left of the titles you want, and click the 'Get All Checked Abstract(s)' button. To see one abstract at a time, click its [Abstract] link.

To see an article, click its [PDF] link. To review many abstracts, check the boxes to the left of the titles you want, and click the 'Get All Checked Abstract(s)' button. To see one abstract at a time, click its [Abstract] link. See less

See this at: alwaysblack.com| Added on 09/05/06

It is afternoon on at the end of November. It is some time in the middle of the morning. The sun is shining. I am looking out of my window. The street there is empty. The sky is cold and clear and blue and moving slowly. There is a man on the street... See more

It is afternoon on at the end of November. It is some time in the middle of the morning. The sun is shining. I am looking out of my window. The street there is empty. The sky is cold and clear and blue and moving slowly. There is a man on the street wrapped in a long coat and a scarf. He is talking on a mobile phone. He passes to the end of the street and turns away from me. See less

See this at: escapistmagazine.com| Added on 09/05/06

A weekly publication, The Escapist covers gaming and gamer culture with a progressive editorial style. Magazine-style updates offer content for a mature audience of gamers, entertainment enthusiasts, and industry insiders alike.

A weekly publication, The Escapist covers gaming and gamer culture with a progressive editorial style. Magazine-style updates offer content for a mature audience of gamers, entertainment enthusiasts, and industry insiders alike. See less

See this at: secondlife.blogs.com| Added on 09/05/06

As much as people like unrealistic things in virtual worlds, they love the realistic. Not everyone can shop on Rodeo Drive in real life. Or on 5th Avenue. But you can come on SL, and with your meager stipend, buy a rather expensive dress, at an... See more

As much as people like unrealistic things in virtual worlds, they love the realistic. Not everyone can shop on Rodeo Drive in real life. Or on 5th Avenue. But you can come on SL, and with your meager stipend, buy a rather expensive dress, at an exclusive boutique in Beverly Hills. It makes people feel good… On what she spends her in-world money on: This is a skin [I bought], but I did the features. Does anyone make their avatar anymore? Second Life is my relaxation point, so I only make things that interest me and bring me pleasure. If it is frustrating or not cost-effective for me to spend leisure time on, then I buy. I make enough money in real life to spend money in Second Life-- it's part of my entertainment budget. What I spend in one month in SL isn't even one night at the bar. [laughs] So it's a savings. On her ongoing in-world social experiment: Basically, I want to see if upscale events will be well-attended in SL. The club (which I can show you later) does not look like other... See less

See this at: gamasutra.com| Added on 09/05/06

So here I am, a few years back, firing up Baldur's Gate for the first time. This is gonna be great! A huge multi-disc CRPG with a decent storyline and tons of gorgeous artwork, the reviews tell me. I can't wait. First things first, though; gotta... See more

So here I am, a few years back, firing up Baldur's Gate for the first time. This is gonna be great! A huge multi-disc CRPG with a decent storyline and tons of gorgeous artwork, the reviews tell me. I can't wait. First things first, though; gotta create my avatar. Forget the suggested, pre-built person they give me -- this is my big chance for self-expression. I'm looking through the portraits available trying to decide what kind of a person I'm going to be. Nice selection. Hey, there's a black woman! I can play a black woman! They're scarce as hen's teeth in computer games. She's got her head tilted back and her eyes half-closed in the snootiest expression imaginable, and she's holding out her hand for it to be kissed - what an attitude! I warm to this lady immediately. I'm gonna be her and we're going to be a Heroine together. So I play along through the game for a while, gathering my posse and talking to bartenders and killing things and selling slightly dented armor down at Ye Olde... See less

See this at: gmlb.com| Added on 09/05/06

Needs and Pleasures Design is a way to ask questions. Design research, when it occurs through the practice of design itself, is a way to ask larger questions beyond the limited scope of a particular design problem. When design research is integrated... See more

Needs and Pleasures Design is a way to ask questions. Design research, when it occurs through the practice of design itself, is a way to ask larger questions beyond the limited scope of a particular design problem. When design research is integrated into the design process, new and unexpected questions emerge directly from the act of design. This chapter outlines one such research design methodology -- the iterative design process -- using three recent game projects with which I have been involved (SiSSYFiGHT 2000, LOOP, and LEGO Junkbot). The creation of games is particularly well-suited to provide a model of research through design. In this book’s introduction, Brenda Laurel makes a distinction between the notion of designing “for needs” and designing “for delight.” {see Laurel, Introduction}While all forms of design partake of both of these categories in some measure, game design is particularly skewed toward the creation of delightful experience, rather then the fulfillment of... See less

See this at: stanford.edu| Added on 09/05/06

Other Bibliographies and Timelines on topics covered in the class: "Journal Articles: Academic Research into Computer Games." Includes sections on: computer games and education, media and cultural studies perspectives on games, medical research into... See more

Other Bibliographies and Timelines on topics covered in the class: "Journal Articles: Academic Research into Computer Games." Includes sections on: computer games and education, media and cultural studies perspectives on games, medical research into games, gender and computer games, psychological and developmental issues, and studies on computer games and violence. URL: http://www.game-culture.com/journals.html Gamegen: The Online Genealogy Project. Developed by the How They Got Game Project for the "Fictional Worlds: Virtual Experiences" exhibit at the Cantor Center. If you would like to add to the timeline, please contact Casey Alt. "Computer Gaming Bibliography," comp. Matthew Southern, et al. Part of the Digiplay Initiative. URL: http://www.digiplay.org.uk/a-g.php "Timeline: Video Games," by Amanda Kudler, URL: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/gamestimeline1.html See less

See this at: emuunlim.com| Added on 09/05/06

While the point of this site is to cover the varied and interesting 40 year history of all those eater of dots, whether they be the pixels on the screen or the quarters in our pockets, from the invention of the very first game displayed on an... See more

While the point of this site is to cover the varied and interesting 40 year history of all those eater of dots, whether they be the pixels on the screen or the quarters in our pockets, from the invention of the very first game displayed on an oscilloscope in a nuclear laboratory to the latest megabit home console sensation, I don't expect to have EVERY base covered (at least, not yet). I've only just started to scratch the surface of videogame history, but you can follow the progress of the site in the What's New list, and I'm trying to add new elements as often as I can. The site is split up into different categories (players), each with their own sections (stages). While I think reading each section in each category in order, by using the rosetta stones, is the best way to understand videogame history as it progressed, you can of course jump to any stage you like with the handy drop down menus at the bottom of each page. I'd also like to say that I designed this site at an 1024x768... See less

See this at: infoplease.com| Added on 09/05/06

Baer and team are successful in creating two interactive TV games—a chase game and a tennis game. They are also able to manipulate a toy gun so that it detects spots of light on the TV screen.

Baer and team are successful in creating two interactive TV games—a chase game and a tennis game. They are also able to manipulate a toy gun so that it detects spots of light on the TV screen. See less

See this at: digiplay.org.uk| Added on 09/05/06

Aarseth, E. (1997) Perspectives on Ergodic Literature, Johns Hopkins University Press, http://www.hf.uib.no/cybertext Amory, A., Naicker, K., Vincent, J. and Adams, C. (1999) "The use of computer games as an educational tool: identification of... See more