doorways to new worlds
Only just launched so no pictures or demos yet, but here's the scoop on a new game, developed by Nesta, that aims to encourage girls to step into the world of entrepreneurship and science.
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August 31, 2006
August 23, 2006
Girly Games
I've been talking to Ron a lot recently about girls, gender and gaming. In particular because he's exploring ways to use multiplayer games to encourage team work. Trouble is, in my mind, none of the MMORPGs currently out there are very appealing to women . I love playing computer games but find myself playing the same ones over and over because few grab my attention. I don't think it's because I'm fussy. Most of the shoot-em up game mechanics are so repetitive that having got the pattern, I can't be bothered to continue. Plus at the end of it I feel like I've come away with nothing. I haven't learnt anything, gained insight, connected with anyone. I've mainly just blown stuff to pieces.
I read a very interesting article today in BJET "Girl Gamers: the controversy of girl games and the relevande of female oriented design for instructional design" Vol 37, No5 2006, which helped me consolidate how I felt. It also confirmed that by extending our understanding of what makes a good game, and including features that traditionally appeal more to females, several of which are also features of constructivist learning:
* rich narrative
* roles involving positive action
* opportunities to design or create
* engaging characters
* communication and collaboration
* use of strategies and skills (beyond shooting guns)
we'll begin to see games which finally realise the instructional potential we have been expecting but not seeing.
August 22, 2006
distractions
So it looks like I won't be going to Ars Electronica after all. Just a bit too expensive right now...but on the bright side it gives me more time to complete my game and pilot it. S2Blue are fantastic. I was introduced to them by Saffron, and they are recording the audio for free. I can't recommend them highly enough.
The narrator, Jim, the Foreman, the Lascar and Mr Hardy are complete. Let me introduce you to Mr Hardy.
August 15, 2006
The Shroud
As far as I'm aware there are only two commercial location-based mobile games that have gained a mass following: Mogi Mogi, a collaborative treasure hunt game only playable in Japan (mainly because no other country has the handsets yet to support it!) and Botfighters, a shoot-em up which I think is available in Russia, Dublin and Sweden.....
Here is a new adventure-style location-based game which, despite having been in development for what seems like years and hyping the GPS element (which I suspect will only have a minor role in game-play), is worth keeping an eye on an eventually playing! http://shroudgame.com/ . The most signficant update is that it's being sponsored by SONY BMG ENTERTAINMENT
August 12, 2006
All paths lead to Ars Electronica
Last week I mentioned a fascinating interactive exhibit at Futuresonic, to which I couldn't find any web references...well here it is: It's called Drawn by zachary lieberman (2006) http://thesystemis.com/drawnInstallation/
...I found it whilst drooling over the Ars Electronica festival which I am desperate to visit again this year. My first visit was in 2003 (I can't believe it was that long ago!) and I was spellbound. This festival is as hands on as it gets and if you want to be inspired by interactive media, or if you're planning to study it (as I was), or if you just want to revisit feelings of childhood wonderment, this is the place to go.
August 07, 2006
Social networked location-based games.
Online social networking tools have become a big thing but in my mind they're too passive to be exciting.
Ron's making the coolest location-based game which is going to turn networking into the fun and dynamic experience it ought to be. It's based on social networing software and location-based technology, using proximity to others rather than location in place. The game requires users to communicate and collaborate in order to succeed. It' will be played on the psp which, despite the hype, and the lack of gps, really is a great device. Keep an eye on Ron's site for more info www.ambientperformance.com/connection
Looking to alternative disciplines
One of the biggest challenges for me, designing a location-based game, was how to balance rhythmn, pace, location, and player energy. Whilst Ethnography, urban planning, space and meaning are frequently cited by location-based game designers, I think there may also be something important to learn from choreography.
Choreography (literally "dance-writing", also known as dance composition), is the art of making structures in which movement occurs, the term composition may also refer to the navigation or connection of these movement structures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choreography
Andy Warhol, Dance Diagram (Tango), 1962, Synthetic polymer on canvas, Warhol Estate
August 06, 2006
Acceptance
Primary and secondary schools are by no means the last to introduce new ways of thinking or adopt new technologies, but when GIS is introduced to schoolchildren we can be sure we're well past the early adopters....
Researchers call for integration of GIS, spatial thinking in K-12 curricula more>
August 04, 2006
Palestinian conflict
I can't get my head around the Palestine conflict. That two games have been developed to help understanding suggests I'm not the only one! I'm looking forward to trying these:
Global Conflict: Palestine
August 03, 2006
Futuresonic on the day
Because Ron and I were only able to make the final day I'm sure we missed some of the more direct experiences, including a gps tour of Manchester, and due to to the nature of the experiences, a lot of the exhibits were, as I had feared, mainly represented through video. Even so, most were still fascinating and some provide info on how to become more directly involved.
We were very happy to finally get a the chance to try Sarah Kettley's Speckled Jewellery and Ron was a winner at RFID snakes and ladders!
Have green fingers? Try planting a sound garden Explore the Greenwich emotionmap
Alongside the joyful, more ominous questions were raised regarding privacy and surveillance. Chris Oakley's film "The Catalogue" was spell-bindingly eery and brought the point home.
The most addictive exhibit, which was mobbed by kids and adults alike, was a movement sensing music tool about which I can't currently find any further information! As soon as I do I'll be posting it.