Computer Games Theory and Practice

- Read "Games: The Extensions of Man" by Marshall McLuhan and post brief summary of the main points to your blog.

- Select an item or items of your work for a 10-15 minute presentation and discussion in class.

- Read "Games: The Extensions of Man" by Marshall McLuhan and post brief summary of the main points to your blog.

- Select an item or items of your work for a 10-15 minute presentation and discussion in class.

On Wednesay bring in a tasty tidbit of information relating to computer games. The main criterion is that you find it interesting. The information can be from any media including print, web, tv. This is a regular Wednesday assignment. Also blog a couple of sentences describing the item and why you find it interesting. Provide a web link if applicable.

1. Abstraction in the Video Game
Read the handout. Then blog a few sentences on how the ideas apply to a classic video game that we have played in class, or to another video game with which you are familiar.

2. Mid Term Project
As shown in the curriculum, mid term project presentations will be on Monday October 23 and Wednesday October 25.

For your mid term project you select one video game that you play in depth over the next month or so. In this time you should become very familiar with the game, including its history, significance, technology, cultural relevance, etc and other applicable themes.

For the project your will create something that links the game with your major. As discussed in class, random examples might include: illustration of a new character for the game, analysis of the game's architecture or creation of a new architectural space for the game, analysis of the interface or creation of a new interface, sculpture using elements in the game as a starting point, etc, etc.

You will each have up to 20 minutes to present your project. Approximately the first half should be a demonstration and explanation of the game and your reactions to it. In the second part you will present your "something", which may be an object or an in-depth analysis, or a video, etc.

For Monday, September 8, please post preliminary ideas for your game, and why it interests you. We will discuss in class.

Read the introduction to From Sun Tzu to Xbox. Visit the America's Army web site at http://www.americasarmy.com/. Blog your views on the pros and cons of the use of comuter games by the military.

As a reminder, these are the assignments that should have been completed by 9/20/06:

- Blog summary of "Games: The Extensions of Man".
- Blog summary of your show and tell items for 09/13 and 09/20
- Blog how abstraction is used in a video game
- Blog game you propose to play as part of your mid term project

You can obtain details of all assingments by clicking on "Assignments" in the Category section of this blog.

Artistic and Subversive Uses of Computer Games

Find one interesting example of this type of game. They are generally non-commercial. There have been several major video game art exhibitions (one at Yerba Buena Center a couple of years ago), there are also links on the Resources page. If possible, play the game - some are online. Blog a description of the game, a screenshot, and your thoughts.

Also, blog a brief outline of your own idea for an artistic or subversive computer game.

Visit the Force More Powerful website at http://www.afmpgame.com/, and read the first part of the game guide I gave you. Be ready to use the software on Monday. Based on your research on the web site and in the book, blog a summary of the aims of the game and your understanding of its rules.

Interactive Narrative

Read the chapter "Interactive Storytelling" by Chris Crawford from The Video Game Theory Reader, 2003. Visit the website for his interactive storytelling software at http://www.storytron.com/.

Write a blog entry that briefly describes how the storytron (formerly the erasmatron) creates an interactive narrative and how this might be more effective than methods currently used to create narrative in computer games.

Bonus points if you download and install the Swat software and get it working!

As part of your mid term project, please upload any original project materials to your blog. For example: Power Point presentation, original artwork, original video, sculpture (real or virtual!) etc. I'm looking for something you actually produced, not gnereic screenshots or YouTube videos.

I realize that some of your projects were geared more towards a presentation than actually producing something. That's fine and will be taken into account in the grading.

As part of your mid term project, please upload any original project materials to your blog. For example: Power Point presentation, original artwork, original video, sculpture (real or virtual!) etc. I'm looking for something you actually produced, not gnereic screenshots or YouTube videos.

I realize that some of your projects were geared more towards a presentation than actually producing something. That's fine and will be taken into account in the grading.

REVIEW OF THE INDIGO PROPHECY

Computer Gaming Magazine is running a special issue on narrative in computer games. As part of this issue, you have been commissioned to write a review of The Indigo Prophecy. The editor has asked you to include:

1. Your personal experience of the game.
2. A discussion of the game's narrative structure.
2. Comparisons to previous games that include narrative elements.
3. A discussion of the future of movies and computer games.

In addition, the magazine wants you to provide in PDF format your idea for laying out the article, including your text and up to three screenshots of your actual game play. The article and images should fill an 8.5" x 11" page. You may also include diagrams or other graphic elements.

Discuss each person's ideas in class on Wednesday, November 15

Blog final project proposal BEFORE class on Monday, November 20

Presentations of final projects (per the curriculum):

Monday, December 11: Tim, Teeka, Stephanie, Owen, Keiko

Wednesday, December 13: Joneric, Francois, Flora, Charlie

Final Project is 20% of final grade.