I’ve just read Mr. Incredibly Gifted Raph Koster’s book Theory of Fun for Game Design. He really does have a gift to combine his academic background with the practicalities of design. The book also explained very clearly to me what the ludologists are on about it (yes….I’m slow). He says that games are not stories, rather, games are about finding the pattern hidden behind the story. Koster is excellent at using Chess and Checkers as examples throughout the book, like here…what does the story have to do with these two games? Is there any narratological value that you’re playing the queen in so and so move? Very relevant point and extremely correct, although with the development of games like Fahrenheit, the story is becoming more and more relevant. So seeing the relevance of the two arguments I would like to suggest that this dilemma can just be solved by the acknowledgment that there are games that are independent of story and games that are dependent of stories. I know it seems ridiculously simple and I’ll probably change my mind as soon as I post this, but wouldn’t that be a solution? Of course it brings with it a whirlwind of trouble when chategorising the two…but this has to make sense somehow.
The book is a must for anyone studying games…he’s got so many good points you literally sit there with a lightbulb blinking constantly…enough to make me dizzy. The layout is genius as well.
He proposes that the fun in games is the learning process. And with a few exceptions I tend to agree. But I think I’m gonna have to dwell on it a little bit more before I really analyse this argument (yes dearest Mr. Patient and Sweet Advisor, I know the clock is ticking).
Sorry…I just utterly confused myself again and I need to take a closer look at the book! I really need to sort out these rambling thoughts in my head!
Main point however, buy this book!!!!! Raph Koster is smart and he definately knows how to articulate his ideas and knowledge, best book I’ve read on the subject (I still have a few to go though)!!

I’m not sure how this works….but it seems a site has been created for gamers to donate money towards Katrina victims, called Gamers Relief. I think it’s sweet that gamers are showing a united front and I think this has to be one of the first times I’ve seen an organisation that unites gamers. It’s interesting and putting all emotions aside, I wonder if this is going to be a trend from now on. Will we soon see Gamers Against Censorship or how about a Gamers scholarship program? I, honestly don’t know everything, so if such a thing already exists, please excuse me. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I applaud all this involvement and I’m hoping to see great things evolve from this. I can’t wait to see how much money they all manage to raise.

So this is really starting to become a trend isn’t it? Bungie is the latest on the list. They’ve designed a really cool t-shirt, well…not completely lame, anyways…to raise money for The American Red Cross and their work in New Orleans.
I feel like there’s gonna be a little war in the gaming industry to see who comes up with the best idea for raising money for this gruesome tragedy. Or I say war, could it maybe be a game? I can’t wait to see what Rockstar comes up with!

I’m sorry…I mean I feel for New Orleans….I really do. Not only are the damages of Katrina devestating but the cleanup and rescue is just heartbreaking, there’s just gonna be some hell to pay soon!
But I can’t help feeling a little disgusted by Sony’s Everquest II Donation rally. The press release is really something and it annoys me that they’advertise their own ‘good will’ by saying that for Everquest II players affected they ‘will be suspending billing until such time as they are able to play again’. I just hate it when large corporations use their own generosity as cheap advertising. While I’m a big supporter of the Second Life Relay to The American Cancer Society I feel like Sony is kinda just riding the wave….and then it just seems inscincere.
Am I being awfully picky and winy here? I don’t know!

So…China has now come up with a new law that protects Chinese children from getting addicted to MOGs (or MMORPGs, I just can’t be bothered writing the whole thing anymore…from here on it’s MOGs…you guys know what I mean anyway). Developers of these games are now instructed to impliment a 3 hour law…if players play more than 3 hours their character/avatar starts to diminish. There also has to be a 5 hour pause before the player can log back on. It’s quite amazing really. And before you laugh and question the ability to have several accounts, they’ve also recently enforced another law that requires you to punch in your personal id nr before logging in to games, so that they can regulate age a.s.o. Sigh…it’s very complicated and I still don’t understand why it is needed…I mean, call me a synic, but a suicide here and there isn’t a reason for panic in a massive country like China, is there? Or am I just not getting the big picture?
Anyways! Game politics is reporting that Chinese World of Warcraft players have started a petition against it. What I think is most interesting is that they are aware that there is a problem at that regulation of game play might be a must, but the way the Chinese government has formed it, it will ruin too much. I thought it was kinda touching but also kinda scary.

I know! I’m so sick and tired of discussing this sex in video game stuff, but it needs further discussion. IGDA has created it’s own group the Sex Special Interest Group. It’s all kinda bizarre, if you ask me. But definately worth having a look. Through my travels through blog world several people have commented that they’re too restrictive and careful. Which I agree with and will come back to!! Sorry…blogging in a hurry today!

So virtual world academic guru Edward Castronova has done something absolutely marvelous and soooooo daring! His Center for the study of Synthetic Worlds (which is sooooo where I should be doing a doctorate because I’m so smart!) has created not a conference but a ludium! The way I see it (and I may be wrong here) is that these smart people are sick of just discussing what and if you can learn something from building and playing virtual worlds, they’re gonna see if the come up with something by playing themselves! It’s a fantastic idea and I admire Castronova for attempting it, as most of us understand that designing games ain’t easy!!! Wish I could be there!! Why don’t they give masters students bunches of money to travel to far away conferences?

Ok….I haven’t gotten my computer nerd license yet!!! But I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I’m sitting behind this receptionist desk and I’m sooooooo freekin bored it’s unbelievable. Naturally I want to do something…so I’ve been blogging a lot. The trouble is…I keep misunderstanding what I read and commenting on something completely different or being offended and offensive. Have I lost my mind? Have I lost the ability to think?
And should I just stop before I make a complete and utter ass of myself? I think so!!!! So what shall I do?

So…I’ve been browsing through the We’re Not Afraid website and I have to say! As well as a bunch of people love taking stupid pictures of their pets there really are some amazing contemporary artists out there!!! Some of these pictures blow my mind!
But!!! OMG!! So I’m sitting here as a posh receptionist in a VERY conservative office and I’m in stitches! I just can’t stop laughing! Tears are just rolling down my cheeks! Cause this has got to be the most hillarious thing I’ve ever seen!! Check out I’m Fucking Terrified!