Advergaming

I'm curious what the class thinks about advergaming. Just saw this article on Gamasutra. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Little Big Planet Review

Game review of Little Big Planet in the New York Times. Game looks pretty interesting.

Campaign Rush

Not only are there campaign ads appearing in racing games, but in case you haven't seen Campaign Rush you can play a click-management game (think Diner Dash/Cake Mania) which takes place in a campaign office. CR was developed by Persuasive Games for CNN International. You can even create an account and choose your party to compete for the best score.

HerInteractive Intern Position

Here is the info regarding the intern position at HerInteractive which will start in January. Sounds like 40 hours/week is optimal, but they are willing to work with a candidate's schedule. Position reports to the Executive Producer.

If you are interested, email me your resume and I'll forward along.


Summary
This Internship position is responsible for supporting the Her
Interactive product development department with test execution including
testing the upcoming release of the next Her Interactive Nancy Drew game
through the beta testing phase as well as ad hoc research projects.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
TESTING
* Focus Group Testing
o Set up test cases for testers (i.e., Saved Games)
o Observe testers and write down relevant observations
o Collect data using MS-Excel
* Test execution
o Execute test cases
o Maintain records of test execution
o Enter issues into bug database
* Beta test management
o Address and mail correspondence
o Replicate discs and correspondence
o Respond to tester issues
o Keep track of beta testing data using MS-Excel and MS-Access
* Other tasks as requested


RESEARCH
* As directed, play computer games and write reviews.
* Research trends in computer gaming and female play preferences
* Collect visual and audio reference for art and production
department
* Archive game assets and documentation
* Create game design documentation
* Maintain periodical and book library
* Other tasks as requested

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
* Familiarity with MS-Excel
* Familiarity with computer games
* Highly organized and responsible
Education and Experience
* At least 16 years of age
Helpful Knowledge and Experience
* Working towards degree in game design, production, usability,
testing or marketing
* Knowledge of Her Interactive product line
* Knowledge of testing fundamentals
* Familiarity with MS-Access

Avatar Murder

Any thoughts on this? Better watch your Maple Story characters! Tokyo Woman Jailed for Avatar Murder.

Amazon Acquires Game Portal

Another article from Gamasutra. Reflexive, a casual game portal and developer was acquired by Amazon. Here's the article Casual Portal/Developer Reflexive Acquired by Amazon.

Building Social Communities for your Game: A Primer

I just saw this article on Gamasutra and thought you might find interesting. The article is entitled Building Social Communities for Your Game: A Primer. Check it out!

Back to Blogging - Week 5

Last week, you submitted a response paper and thus given a "holiday" from blogging about the readings. This week, it's back to the blog. Here are last week's readings:

Wallace, M. “Anonymity is not enough,” The Escapist, February 28, 2006.

Kim, A. Nine Principles of Community Design (discuss in class)

Oldenburg, R. Chapters 1 and 2, The Great, Good Place (First 10 pages are online)

Wellman, B. and Guilia, M. Net Surfers Don’t Ride Alone”

Boyd, D. Why Youth Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life

Goffman, E. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, pps 1-58

Optional Reading

What Defines a Community? (6.5 minute youtube clip)

Little Brother, Cory Doctorow

For those of you who enjoyed True Names, you might want to read Cory Doctorow's latest book, Little Brother. As stated on his site, downloads of all Doctorow's books are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike license, which lets you share it, remix it, and share your remixes, provided that you do so on a noncommercial basis. Enjoy!

Week 3 - Student Comments

Week 3 included a number of readings. I have included the online readings below. Feel free to comment on the readings or class activities and lecture.

Jenkins, H. “Convergence? I Diverge.” Technology Review

Yee, N. The Psychology of MMORPGs: Emotional Investment, Motivations, Relationship Formation, and Problematic Usage. Social Life of Avatars II.

Hejdenberg, The Psychology Behind Games

Donath, J., Identity and Deception in the Virtual Communities

Bruckman, A. Gender Swapping on the Internet

and in the online reserves: Salen and Zimmerman, Rules of Play

Response Paper Homework

Response Paper #1 - Bring at least two copies of your response paper. Submit one copy to an instructor. Be prepared to give the other copy to another student. You should also obtain another student's paper for you to markup (Due Thursday, Oct 16 at Class)

Response Paper #2 - Due Oct 30. You should markup another student's paper (#1) with your writing tips. You should not miss problems that involve the first 15 tips in the "Pocket Style Manual". Hand in your marked paper to an instructor. You will also submit your second response paper to an instructor. THIS SHOULD BE A ONE-PAGE paper!

Response Paper #3 - Due Nov 6, another ONE-PAGER

Response Paper #4 - Due Nov 13, yes, another ONE-PAGER

and THAT's all because then you have the PROJECT!

Pew Study--Teens, Video Games and Civics.

Interesting report recently published by the Pew Internet and American Life Project entitled Teens, Video Games and Civics. The report shows how games, often perceived as the downfall of youth today, can cultivate teen civic engagement. It actually challenges some of the long held stereotypes about gaming.

Week 2 - Student Comments

This is where you will post your ideas and responses to class activities. On Tuesday, Sept 30, Wanda gave a lecture (Second Lecture) that provided an overview of the industry. On Thursday, you were "studying games" and thinking about the experience and the intended audience.

You may post your thoughts and/or respond to others. See you soon.