I just want to let everyone know that I think that video games are non-racist and they are created by what the world has become. In Gamasutra:by Tom Cross, he talks about the African town as being poor and dirty, which in real life, that is mainly what you see when Africa is portrayed on the big screen. You don't ever see Africa as a rich town or clean streets, it has always been poor. I haven't played Resident Evil 5 but I do remember when the first one came out and how it was bloody and weird, there was nothing that portrayed racism. In one of the comments in this article, they talked about how we really need to remember that it is just a game which is also just like the violence in Grand Theft Auto.
The article, Why Didn't I Buy GTA: Chinatown Wars, by Jaime Kuroiwa, she specificly said that she didn't buy the game because she didn't like it, there wasn't anything different than what she has already seen. She also made it very clear that her not buying the game, had nothing to do with her being Asian. I think that this article is a great example of why certain people don't buy certain games. As customers, we need new challenges and something different.
Game Developers Demographics Report by the International Game Developers Association, shows us that that the average age is 31 and 83.3% are white. They also said that it is hard to find diverse applicants, which I think has a lot to do with the education levels of their developers. Maybe if they didn't expect their employees to be as educated, they could get a younger perspective on what the gaming world wants to see.
In, Video Games Racist, Says Study, by Deborah Jones, and Pacific Citizen byLynda Lin, they both have a lot to do with the aspect of entertainment. Pacific Citizen talks about how these video games are entertaining us by the interactions we get when we are the character. In Deborahs article, she talks about how the video game world is more popular than movies and makes more money. If the video gaming industry is making so much money, than obviously people don't think there is a racism problem.
What I got from the Wikipedia article about PostColonialism is that a lot of what we do goes back to when cultures were being formed. In one culture, they might see video games as being harmful to your health and in another culture video games would be a learning process. I think this is also about the fact that we all sort of create our own book on what we believe and what is right and wrong. Especially today, there are so many beliefs that it isn't like the olden days when there was one way of believing.Most of the Wikipedia article, lost me in a sense.
I think that just like life everyone is going to have their likes and dislikes, and personally for me if you don't like the way the Resident Evil or Grand Theft Auto games portray their characters, don't' play it. We all have a right to our opinions and choices we make in life. And just like in the Gameology articles I think it is good that we are looking at the racial aspects in video games but we truly need to remember that they are just games and another form of entertainment.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
interviews on gender differences
Dave, a 56 year old man plays the Wii system about twice a month and his computer games about twice a week. He plays bowling, Mario kart, put put golf, and Rayman Raving Rabbits on his his Wii system but mystery, card, and puzzle games on his computer Shay, a 43 year old woman plays Solitare and Bigfish games on her computer everyday but only plays the Wii system about once a month and likes the same games as Dave. Kyle, a 27 year old guy plays his Xbox 360 every other day and plays Need 4 speed, Grid, Halo 3, and Rainbow 6 Vegas. He never plays computer games. Denise, a 51 year old woman plays Munch's Oddysee, Sims, and Madagascar on the Xbox with her daughter about every couple days. She also plays Runescape and Girl Sense on her computer every day. This gave me a little more clarification on the the gender roles, violence, stereotypes and isolation when it comes to video games.
I remember as a child my brother and I would play Mario Kart for hours until our eyes couldn't see straight anymore. We would get friends to come play with us and we would have competitions to see who was the best. I played this game just as much as my brother did. In Got Game, they talk about how brothers and sisters will sit in the same room and play video games for hours but the sister most of the time, is just watching. I think this is true more now days because of the types of games that are out. When I was a kid, they didn't have the Pet Shop, or animal care games, so as a girl I played what they boys played and loved it. I would have to agree, as Got Game stated, that the girls are going to play the girl games because it would be weird to find a teenage boy dressing dolls.
I think the game, Playing with Fire-Trouble in Super Macho World is a great way for Nintendo to get up to speed with today. Yes, it is great to see that they kept her classic pink dress but does she need to have emotional powers? In a sense, they could have used other objects as powers, maybe something that symbolized the girl, instead of emotions that everyone has. I don't' see any sexism with this game, it is just another way that a game can be played and the reality of the gaming world.
I know for a fact, that imagination is key to a child's development but should we worry about the violence part of it in video games? As a mom of a three year old, I will not allow shooting games that hurt or kill people, in my house in the future. Children need to play games that are clean, safe and educational. I certainly don't think that video games had anything to do with the violence in the real world because violence started before video games even existed. Got Game talks about how juvenile crime dropped sharply when violence in video games was most popular. Our violence only escalated because of news media and that's what they cover more of in their daily reports. Violence goes back to how the kids were raised, their surroundings and peer pressure.
My biggest problem about video games is the lack of child interaction in social activities. I have a niece and a nephew who are addicted to their DS system and anytime we are at family gatherings they are on their systems the whole time. If you ask them anything they are rude because how dare you interrupt their game. I think that kids need to have other activities so when they grow up they know how to interact on a social level. Got Game says that video games have become a part of our culture which it surely has, but we need to enrich our children's lives with other things too.
I agree with the all the readings we did this week and I don't think that video games have anything to do with Gender roles, violence, isolation or stereotypes. With the interviews I did, it just shows me once again that we choose what we like when it comes to video games and age has nothing to do with it. I like the same games as Dave and that's a 20+ year difference.
I remember as a child my brother and I would play Mario Kart for hours until our eyes couldn't see straight anymore. We would get friends to come play with us and we would have competitions to see who was the best. I played this game just as much as my brother did. In Got Game, they talk about how brothers and sisters will sit in the same room and play video games for hours but the sister most of the time, is just watching. I think this is true more now days because of the types of games that are out. When I was a kid, they didn't have the Pet Shop, or animal care games, so as a girl I played what they boys played and loved it. I would have to agree, as Got Game stated, that the girls are going to play the girl games because it would be weird to find a teenage boy dressing dolls.
I think the game, Playing with Fire-Trouble in Super Macho World is a great way for Nintendo to get up to speed with today. Yes, it is great to see that they kept her classic pink dress but does she need to have emotional powers? In a sense, they could have used other objects as powers, maybe something that symbolized the girl, instead of emotions that everyone has. I don't' see any sexism with this game, it is just another way that a game can be played and the reality of the gaming world.
I know for a fact, that imagination is key to a child's development but should we worry about the violence part of it in video games? As a mom of a three year old, I will not allow shooting games that hurt or kill people, in my house in the future. Children need to play games that are clean, safe and educational. I certainly don't think that video games had anything to do with the violence in the real world because violence started before video games even existed. Got Game talks about how juvenile crime dropped sharply when violence in video games was most popular. Our violence only escalated because of news media and that's what they cover more of in their daily reports. Violence goes back to how the kids were raised, their surroundings and peer pressure.
My biggest problem about video games is the lack of child interaction in social activities. I have a niece and a nephew who are addicted to their DS system and anytime we are at family gatherings they are on their systems the whole time. If you ask them anything they are rude because how dare you interrupt their game. I think that kids need to have other activities so when they grow up they know how to interact on a social level. Got Game says that video games have become a part of our culture which it surely has, but we need to enrich our children's lives with other things too.
I agree with the all the readings we did this week and I don't think that video games have anything to do with Gender roles, violence, isolation or stereotypes. With the interviews I did, it just shows me once again that we choose what we like when it comes to video games and age has nothing to do with it. I like the same games as Dave and that's a 20+ year difference.
Friday, April 17, 2009
College Courses on Understanding games! How bazarre
To understand video games, a person has to think outside the box,be warped into a world that isn't anything like the real world and has to devote a lot of time if they want to finish. Video games these days are so complex that you almost do look into what is really not part of the real world and be able to read need a manual in order to figure out how to play. Shouldn't these video games be as easy as the classics( what really are the classics) but just like anything else electronic, the manufactures are always trying to make things more complex.
We study video games because they are so popular and they are addicting. Yes they are! Another reason we study video games is because how are we ever going to master the game we want and learn how to be better than someone else, just like in King of Kong.
I am studying video games because I am a mother of son that one day will want to play video games and I will need to understand them. Why is it that the video world has taken over the kids. The kids come home swearing and the teachers think that their parents say those words but most of the time the kids learn it from video games and television. Because video games have become so popular, we have to study them.
I think that the best person to study a video game is a new gamer because they take a different approach than the gamer that has been playing since video games where born. If you introduce a game to an old gamer they already have their opinions about the type of game it is, but a new gamer, being myself, would want to know what it was about.
Another factor in studying games if figuring out what is exciting and what is not. To most it would be a personal preference, or it could be what it is popular. I have heard a lot of talk about how video games are anti-social but if you look at the games of today they changed that factor. Their are so many games that you can play among others.My dad used to play a game on line with others all the time and that is very social.
One of the big problems in video games in the battle of the violence. I know if my son played video games he would not be allowed to play violent ones. Why do we need violence? Is there something exciting about shooting someone and then the blood is all over the ground like in real life. I have played Resident Evil and that is just plain gross. I think the violent games are a waste time.
We study video games because they are so popular and they are addicting. Yes they are! Another reason we study video games is because how are we ever going to master the game we want and learn how to be better than someone else, just like in King of Kong.
I am studying video games because I am a mother of son that one day will want to play video games and I will need to understand them. Why is it that the video world has taken over the kids. The kids come home swearing and the teachers think that their parents say those words but most of the time the kids learn it from video games and television. Because video games have become so popular, we have to study them.
I think that the best person to study a video game is a new gamer because they take a different approach than the gamer that has been playing since video games where born. If you introduce a game to an old gamer they already have their opinions about the type of game it is, but a new gamer, being myself, would want to know what it was about.
Another factor in studying games if figuring out what is exciting and what is not. To most it would be a personal preference, or it could be what it is popular. I have heard a lot of talk about how video games are anti-social but if you look at the games of today they changed that factor. Their are so many games that you can play among others.My dad used to play a game on line with others all the time and that is very social.
One of the big problems in video games in the battle of the violence. I know if my son played video games he would not be allowed to play violent ones. Why do we need violence? Is there something exciting about shooting someone and then the blood is all over the ground like in real life. I have played Resident Evil and that is just plain gross. I think the violent games are a waste time.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Alycia Jones
Literature 220
Paper #1 Episodes 1-4 and articles
Literature 220
Paper #1 Episodes 1-4 and articles
Video games need a theme, rules, characters, fun elements, manuals and an outcome and that would be a big enough reason for them to be considered literature. In more than one way, that is like telling a story. From the websites www.kongrete.com/games/pixelate/understanding-games-episode1-4, www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/23/tech/gamecore/main and wii.ign.com/articles/709/709153p3/html we can find more reasons to agree.
One important factor in games is there needs to be a theme and interaction of the player. The player needs a theme so he knows what she is playing for. In the game of Pong, in episode 1, the theme is to hit a ball and then it comes back to you just like in tennis. In Turok, the player is a dinosaur hunter that hunts dinosaurs: which seems pretty simple to most. These games also simulate or change properties and processes for the real world. Just like in Pong, the ball comes back when bounced off the wall and in Turok, the dinosaurs are being hunted just like anyone in the real world would do if they saw a dinosaur. The theme also has a lot to do with the representation of a the game. If you were to name the game Final Fantasy you couldn't make it a simple game because fantasy means tons of options.
Another factor in games are the rules. If there aren't rules then games are boring, non-challenging, and there isn't one precise meaning. The rules and representation of a game are not independent but interconnect with each other. In the game of Pong, one of the rules is if you miss, the other person gets a point. That rule represents the process that the game follows in order for there to be an outcome.
In order for a game to work and attract its audience, it has to be fun. Someone isn't going to play a game if it doesn't excite them. In episode 3, where you matched up the puzzles, it was challenging for me, so it made it exciting. In a lot of games there are stories which make the games more fun. In real life we can relate to storytelling because everyday we tell our own stories, which is exciting for other people to listen to. In the article, Once Upon A Time, it talks about the question, "How was your day" and how that provokes stories within our conversations.
I think that storytelling is one of our best ways of making anything exciting whether it is a video game, computer game, puppet show, play, movie, book or just a simple conversation. Another factor in fun is a challenge. I know that if the game is too easy than it is boring, but if it is hard than I get determined to beat it. This is a good way for games to offer different levels so that you can start out at an easy level and then once you have mastered that then you can try a harder level. This also lets a player recognize and learn fundamental patterns within the game which then can be applied to different situations.
The last factor in games is a manual and the question is, "Do you need a manual to play a game?"
According to the puzzles in Episode 3 you don't need a manual but if you were to play Halo, you wouldn't have the slightest knowledge of what to do to win. In the article, The Influence of Literature and Myth in Videogames, it talks about how Halo has references to the Bible and has been influenced by books and movies. This leads us to our point, that just like literature, video games need a theme, characters, conflict and challenges, and an outcome.
One important factor in games is there needs to be a theme and interaction of the player. The player needs a theme so he knows what she is playing for. In the game of Pong, in episode 1, the theme is to hit a ball and then it comes back to you just like in tennis. In Turok, the player is a dinosaur hunter that hunts dinosaurs: which seems pretty simple to most. These games also simulate or change properties and processes for the real world. Just like in Pong, the ball comes back when bounced off the wall and in Turok, the dinosaurs are being hunted just like anyone in the real world would do if they saw a dinosaur. The theme also has a lot to do with the representation of a the game. If you were to name the game Final Fantasy you couldn't make it a simple game because fantasy means tons of options.
Another factor in games are the rules. If there aren't rules then games are boring, non-challenging, and there isn't one precise meaning. The rules and representation of a game are not independent but interconnect with each other. In the game of Pong, one of the rules is if you miss, the other person gets a point. That rule represents the process that the game follows in order for there to be an outcome.
In order for a game to work and attract its audience, it has to be fun. Someone isn't going to play a game if it doesn't excite them. In episode 3, where you matched up the puzzles, it was challenging for me, so it made it exciting. In a lot of games there are stories which make the games more fun. In real life we can relate to storytelling because everyday we tell our own stories, which is exciting for other people to listen to. In the article, Once Upon A Time, it talks about the question, "How was your day" and how that provokes stories within our conversations.
I think that storytelling is one of our best ways of making anything exciting whether it is a video game, computer game, puppet show, play, movie, book or just a simple conversation. Another factor in fun is a challenge. I know that if the game is too easy than it is boring, but if it is hard than I get determined to beat it. This is a good way for games to offer different levels so that you can start out at an easy level and then once you have mastered that then you can try a harder level. This also lets a player recognize and learn fundamental patterns within the game which then can be applied to different situations.
The last factor in games is a manual and the question is, "Do you need a manual to play a game?"
According to the puzzles in Episode 3 you don't need a manual but if you were to play Halo, you wouldn't have the slightest knowledge of what to do to win. In the article, The Influence of Literature and Myth in Videogames, it talks about how Halo has references to the Bible and has been influenced by books and movies. This leads us to our point, that just like literature, video games need a theme, characters, conflict and challenges, and an outcome.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
King of Kong
The movie King of Kong was a great example of how competition affects people in different ways, and how the players take advantage of certain perks. Billy Mitchell is a great example of how competition can affect family, work and behavior. He was all about himself and certainly took advantage of the perks to being friends with the owners of twin galaxies. You also never saw his family or the activities that they had going. The only time you ran into his family was at his events which to me is very selfish and rude. Billy needs to prioritize his life and the people in it. I know that if my husband was to be selfish and rude life Billy he would be gone in a second. I would not put up with that crap for a minute nor should Billy's wife. It was not okay for Billy to video tape his games but Steve had to do it in person. It really shows how little the person is when they can't even say hi to their competitor and go head to head in the arcade. Steve Weibe is a great example of a true and honest man, who's family life is just as important as his other activities. It was great to see him trying so hard to be honest about his high scores and showing up at Twin Galaxies. You know for a man who works too many hours for not enough pay as a teacher, he surely has a great attitude for life and the people in it. I hope that in the future Twin Galaxies makes Billy be honest and play head to head or not allow him to compete enough more.
The judges need to have better rules and not play favorites.
The judges need to have better rules and not play favorites.
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