INCOLSA Get Your Game On presentation

Get Your Game On: Videogaming @ the Library Instructor: Beth Gallaway [email_address] Fall 2008

Contact Info! Contact Info: Beth Gallaway [email_address] 603.247.3196 http://informationgoddess.info

Introductions Name Library Position What games do you play?

Workshop Overview Defining games Benefits of games… at the library! Creating a gaming experience: Ways to serve gamers Collecting games Game programs Let’s play some games!

What is a Game? GAME: activity engaged in for diversion or amusement; synonym: see FUN VIDEOGAME: an electronic game played by means of images on a video screen and often emphasizing fast action Merriam-Webster Online. http://www.m-w.com

Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

Goals What the Player wants to achieve Main goals Winning! Sub-Goals Shiny things Goals Fit the GAME Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

Obstacles Impeding the player’s progress Impeding the player’s path Feeling of Accomplishment Challenging the player Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

Tools Tools are what the player use to get to its goal A Sword A Spell A Jump Players need to use them properly Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

Second Chances The Player’s ability to fail and try again Only once Chance in reality Try again Extra Lives Health Bar Quest for perfection Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

Learning Player’s Skill and Mastery of the tools they use. Player learns the rules of the game and how to rise above them. Spikes = Death Fire Creatures are immune to fire. Increasing Difficulty Levels become harder and more complicated. Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

Game Playing Components Console/Playing Device PC, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Screen or Monitor Controller mouse, joystick, keyboard, peripheral device Power Source Game CD-Rom, cartridge, digital

Game Play Devices Consoles XBox Playstation Nintendo Handhelds PSP DS PC

Console Units Sold VG Charts. http://www.vgchartz.com /

Game Components Console/Playing Device PC, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Screen or Monitor Controller mouse, joystick, keyboard, peripheral device Power Source Game CD-Rom, cartridge, digital

Game Screens Monitor Television Projector/Screen

Game Controllers Keyboard Mouse Mat Guitar Steering Wheel Drum Joystick Camera Controllers

Plug ‘n’ Play Plugs into your TV Play begins immediately

Handhelds VG Charts. http://www.vgchartz.com/ .

Mobile Gaming Devices Mobile gaming is expected to quadruple to 11.2 billion by 2010

Exercise #1: Play a Game! Work in pairs to try a game on a handheld device Objective: gain a little more comfort with a mobile or handheld game. Take 5 minutes to try a game--or show one to someone else--right now!

For Discussion: What game(s) did you play? Were the games easy or hard? Did you look for instructions, or jump right in? Do you want to play more? Would you play this online? How might it be different? What did you learn from this experience?

For Discussion: What Are Some Benefits of Games?

Does This Sound Like Any Gamers You Know? Social Competitive Wired Self-aware Always On Heroic Multi-taskers Global Collaborative Risk Takers Beck, John and Mitchell Wade. Got Game: How the Gamer Generation is Reshaping Business Forever . Harvard Business School Press, 2004.

Learning Principles* Risk –tasking in a “safe” environment Rewards practice Use of affinity groups Probing cycles Situated meaning Self-knowledge Identity formation *Gee, James Paul. What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy . Palgrave McMillan, 2003

Why Games at the Library? Games provide opportunity for library as third place Games are just like books, they are just another new format Games are the medium of choice for the millennial generation Games meet developmental needs/build developmental assets of teens Games are literary Games reinforce new literacies Other???

Exercise # 2: Games Are Like Books, Part I

Gaming is the medium of choice for the millennial generation

Developmental Needs of Young Adolescents Positive social interaction with adults & peers Structure and clear limits Physical activity Creative expression Competence and achievement Meaningful participation in families, school, communities Opportunities for self-definition NMSA. NMSA Research Summaries. Young Adolescents Developmental Needs (1996) http://www.nmsa.org/Research/ResearchSummaries/Summary5/tabid/257/Default.aspx

Developmental Assets of Adolescents Support Empowerment Boundaries & Expectations Constructive Use of Time Commitment to Learning Positive Values Social Competencies Positive Identity The Search Institute. http://www.search-institute.org

What Developmental Needs or Assets Are Being Met?

Gaming = literacy Environmental print Signage Labels Maps Reading about the game Instructions Walkthroughs Writing about the game Forums Websites Chat: “ WTS, Mageweave cloth, 15g”

“ Leet” & 4 /\/\ 3 I2 5 G A M E R S

Gaming Reinforces New Literacies Exposing knowledge Employing information Expressing ideas compellingly Ethics on the Internet Armstrong Sara, and David Warlick. ”The New Literacies.” Scholastic Administrator. Sep15, 2004. http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=47102021 . June 12, 2008.

1. Exposing Knowledge Find information Understand and explain found information regardless of its format Evaluate information Organize information

2. Employing Information Computation Measurement Analysis Application

Estimating Basic arithmetic Averages Statistics Lemonade Stand

EXERCISE # 3: Try Set Game http://www.setgame.com

3. Expressing Ideas Compellingly Mechanics matter Creativity & efficiency highly rated Text, images, audio, and video are used to express ideas in many digital formats

Ways Gamers Express Ideas Compellingly Fan Fiction Machinima Web Comics Fan Forums Clan Websites

Ethics on the Internet Modding – recreating game content FanFic – writing stories about characters created/owner by someone else Machina – films/videos created through recording video game play

For Discussion: What Are Some Negatives of Games?

Exercise #4: Gaming by the Numbers

1. What is the average age of the gamer?* *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008. 35

2. What % of teens report playing games online?* *Pew Internet & American Life Project. Teens and Technology, July 2005. http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Teens_Tech_July2005web.pdf. Accessed June 12, 2008. 81%

3. What % of people over age 50 play games?* *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008. 26%

4. What % of gamers are female?* *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008. 40%

5. What % of gamers read on a regular basis? *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008. 32 % 93%

6. How many billions of dollars did the computer and game sales gross in the US in 2007?* $9.5 billion *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008.

7. What % of games sold in 2007 were rated M for Mature?* *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/. Accessed June 12, 2008. 15%

Have you ever played a game rated M for Mature?

8. What % of public libraries allow patrons to play computer games?* 82% *Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed June 12, 2008.

9. What % of public libraries host videogame programs?* 13% *Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed June 12, 2008.

10. What % of public libraries circulate videogames?* 30% *Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed June 12, 2008.

Ways to Serve Gamers Use games to do readers advisory ! Be a strategy guide! Embrace your inner technogeek Be flexible … embrace change! Immerse yourself in pop culture … especially video game culture! Try some games!

1. Reader’s Advisory to Gamers INSTEAD OF: What authors do you like to read? What are the last 3 books you read and enjoyed? What did you like about them? ASK: What movies do you like? What TV shows do you watch? What games do you play?

Exercise #5: Reader’s Advisory to Gamers Break into groups and discuss characteristics of each genre Add a few titles and authors to recommend to a gamer Objectives: seek similarities in games and books approach a traditional library skill or service from a new angle

Roleplaying (RPG) Games Games: Everquest Runescape World of Warcraft Dark Age of Camelot Ultima Characteristics Epic fantasy setting Good vs. evil theme Suggest?

Historical Sim Games Games: Civilization Caesar Age of Empires Oregon Trail America’s Army Characteristics Simulation elements Historical setting Alternative history possibility Suggest?

Sports Games Games: Madden Football NBA Street Need for Speed Tiger Woods Golf Characteristics Sports theme Competition Suggest?

Strategy & Puzzle Games Games: Myst Tetris Bejeweled Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? Characteristics: Problem to solve Logic, math, reasoning Suggest?

First Person Shooters (FPS) Games: Doom Quake Halo Characteristics Warfare Strategy Violent Suggest?

Simulations Games: The Sims The Urbz Characteristics: Character driven Suggest?

Japanese/Manga tie-in Games: Katamari Damacy Final Fantasy Dragonball Z Pokemon Characteristics Anime style Japanese culture Suggest?

Superhero Games Games: Spider-Man Fantastic Four City of Heros Characteristics Heroes/villains setting Good vs. evil theme Film tie-ins Suggest?

Print Resources for Gamers Magazines Strategy guides Nonfiction about gaming Fiction with gaming as a plot or subplot

Exercise # 6: Games Are Like Books, Part II

2. Be a Strategy Guide Don’t be a level boss Show, don’t tell Make it interactive Get them started with a free-for-all Ask for a demo of expertise Be open-minded

3. Get Your Geek On Upgrade Get a screen name You can’t break it Pilot projects Read tech news

4. Be Flexible… Embrace Change! Change the space Flexible furnishings Say yes Go meta Customize Change yourself

It’s a stool It’s a table It’s a storage unit

5. Immerse in Pop Culture… Pop Culture Hot High Tech Crossovers

Especially Videogame Culture! Watch machinima Read gaming webcomics Subscribe to a gaming podcast or blog Skim gaming magazines Pay attention to gaming around you

More Ways to Immerse! Join the LibGaming Google Group Email discussion for gaming in libraries ALA Gaming News Blog Blog about gaming news of interest to libraries Join YALSA and the Teen Gaming Interest Group YALSA interest group dedicated to gaming Celebrate Teen Tech Week Annual celebration of teens + technology in libraries, March 2008

6. Try Some Games On the Internet On a console On a handheld

What Makes a Good Game? Plot Setting Character Graphics Sound track Modification/Customization Support Uniqueness ________________ Replayability

Exercise #7: W hat Makes a Good Game? In this group exercise, you will preview video game magazines and look at the articles, advertisements, and reviews for clues about what makes a good game.

For Discussion: W hat Makes a Good Game? Who is this magazine for? What is appealing/unappealing about the magazine? What can you learn from the articles? The ads? The reviews? Other content? What are some indicators of game quality? What magazine might you want to subscribe to?

Asteroids Vector graphics in Asteroids

Non-Original Games Authenticity to existing story Retold in a creative way Fan Service Text RPG Zork

Minigames Bioshock Zelda Text RPG Zork

Character Characteristics Customizable Diverse Representation of the player

Game Physics Smooth Realistic Appropriate

Graphics Fast Loading Seamless Cinematic

Sound Music Speech Ambient Noise

Customization Calibration Interface Modding

Katamari Damacy Unique plot Creative gameplay Multiple modes of play

Finding Good Games Game Awards Websites Magazines Organizations Networks Game Reviews Magazines Library Journals Websites

Game Awards BAFTA - http://www.bafta.org/ IGN - http://bestof.ign.com Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences http://www.interactive.org/ GameSpot - http://www.gamespot.com GameSpy - http://goty.gamespy.com Game Developer’s Choice Awards - http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/ Game Critics Awards http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/

Print Reviews School Library Journal Voice of Youth Advocates Gaming Magazines Tech Magazines

Online Reviews Bub, Andrew. Gamer Dad . http://www.gamingwithchildren.com/ Scalzo, John. Video Game Librarian. http://www.videogamelibrarian.com/ National Institute on Media and the Family. Annual Video Game Report Card http://www.mediafamily.org/

Collection Policy Considerations Formats Console PC Internet Subscription Breadth & Depth Genres Styles Age ranges Budget

Collection Management Storage depends on: Format Staff Space Budget Theft Start with programs Start small Issues Replacement/Repair Resistance

Model Collections Rockridge Ages 13-18 year olds PS2 games 2 games/patron No holds/renewals 7 day free checkout $1/day late fee $50/replacement fee Genres: sports, adventure, racing, fighting, & shooters Helen McGraw E, E10+ and T PS2 and PC games 14 day circ $.25/day late fee game cost+$5/replacement fee Genres: compilations, sports, racing games, platformers, unique and quirky titles

Model Programs: CA Santa Monica Public Library, CA Counterstrike LAN party After hours program 50 teens lined up around the block to play After School Zone, Benicia Public Library , CA Hanging out, snacks and playing games encourages Kids and teens who have gotten parental consent can play Halo 2 and Ghost Recon on the XBox 360; Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Melee are popular on Gamecube

Model Programs: US Ann Arbor District Library (MI) Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, & DDR Tournaments for all ages Regular programs Online community North Hunterdon High School (NJ) Student-run game night in the cafeteria

What Makes a Successful Gaming Program? Research Marketing Variety Play Evaluate

Handheld Program Cell phone clinic PSP Gamefest Nintendo DS Gamefest

DDR Recipe for Success One console ( $80-$600) 2-4 dance pads ( $20-$300 each) 1 game ( $25-$60) 1 LCD projector ($600-1000) or TV ($100-$2K) 1 one large screen or white wall Activity for waiters Water

“ I LOVED DDR” “ Awesome cuz everyone gets along with each other, there’s no waiting in line or nething. Plus guitar hero is wicked rad” “ I liked this because there’s too few of the DDR community around. This is a good opportunity to meet people with like interests.”

Now What? Upon your return to the library, what are the next steps? S pecific (detailed! 5W+1H) M easureable (what = success?) A ttainable (what resources do you need to achieve?) R ealistic (benchmarks of progress) T imely! (what’s the time frame?)

Evaluations! Contact Info: Beth Gallaway [email_address] 603.247.3196 http://informationgoddess.info

INCOLSA Get Your Game On presentation

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INCOLSA Get Your Game On presentation