Here are features of my creative research. Things I'm interested in
Intersections of Performance, Videogames, and Interactive Technology (Performative Technologies).
21st Century Literacies. Wikis, Blogs, Social Network Communities. Learning in Virtual Environments.
Sites of Human-Computer Interaction at various distances of experience as both input and output phenomena.
Inter-media of sound/projection design and interactive theatre.
Interdisciplinarity to art, humanities, computer science/ engineering through “communications.”
The synergizing effects of interactive media, ubiquitous computing, and cognitive psychology.
New game spaces, especially pervasive gaming, especially using telematics, and virtual spaces.
Fragments
Fragments from my dissertation Beyond Fun and Games. Things I believe in.
Interdisciplinarity fuels synergies that extrude new patterns of meanings.
Interactive performance media and serious videogames are mediums to rehearse reality without the risks and dangers that participants might encounter in real life.
Interconnections between performance and videogames can be attributed to the liminality of ritual, the spirit of fun and games, and, in many cases, humour as subversion. The improvisational drama motto of “receiving, releasing, and returning” also works with well designed games.
Drama games are an effective way to plan plot escalations and create believable characters in videogames, and especially role-playing games. They can also help us examine personal values and belief systems to discover the strength of our ethical perspective and moral stance.
Aims for this Presentation
Today we're going to "blue sky" the possibilities of games of the future, concentrating on Serious Games.
Find out what kind of games and interactive media you love and could not live without.
Sort them out using various taxonomies.
Imagine these games at next levels of development (then get on out there and *make* them :)
Take a look at new directions and check out a few things that might surprise you.
Your Turn
My creative research is about serious games and interactive theatre but I like to play all kinds of games.
How about YOU? What kind of games interest you? Let's gather about a dozen examples.
Participation
Classifications
By Genre
Much as in Cinema Studies, genre is is a loose set of criteria for a category of composition.
Action Games: Fighting Games, Maze Games, Platform Games
Simulations: Construction Simulation - Godgames, Life Simulation
Role Playing Games: MMORPG
Strategy Games: 4X, eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate: Wargames.
Vehicle Simulation: Flight Sims, Racing Games.
Serious Games: Health, Social Issue, Training, Education.
Others: Music. Party, Puzzle, Sports.
Interactive Playspaces.
21st Century Literacies.
By Purpose
Many video games are designed with additional purposes -- to inform, persuade, or stimulate. These games can have any kind of gameplay, from puzzles to action to adventure.
Adult videogames
Advergames
Art games
Casual games
Educational games
Electronic Sports games
Exergame
Serious games
Distance of Experience
So close and yet so far. An alternate taxonomy and philosophic expansion. One foot distance. Ten foot distance. Stadium distance. BEYOND?!!
Given that input is a corporeal/haptic experience and output/display is our source of "meaning" or narrative resolve through experience.
Discussion Points:
How might our mobile devices affect the shape of games of the future?
How about cognitive experience and ubiquitousness? Virtual Reality? Globalization?
Does this push the boundaries of Human-Computer Interactions?
Stadium to Global game spaces -- Pervasive Gaming, Alternate Reality Gaming.
What makes it Performative? Is this Collective Intelligence? The Collective Unconscious?
Does this help situate and synergize new learning spaces?
How about Philosophic Expansion? Technological Determinism? Animism? Idealism?
Now, we're taking the Future, people!
The Surprising New Shape of Games
Following this reshaping of taxonomies and "performative" input, let's look at the Waves for the Future.
Live/Digital Performance. ARGs, Pervasive Games.
Performances in Virtual Playspaces. Plays in Second Life.
Net-based Performance. Simultaneous in multiple places using cameras and streaming technology.
Serious Games getting bigger.
Situated learning in online environments: This wiki as an example.
Democratization of game development. Anyone who wants can build a game!
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I will be in my office all day on Monday, from 10:00 to 5:00 to accept your DVD burns and DVD jewelcase and cover art. ALSO, I will be collecting .mov files of your *most excellent* short documentaries. Job well done, everyone!
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