analysis of play, wednesday, feb 12, 2014

Today

1) Just checking in2) Play this week: Card Hunter3) Frasca: Narratology vs. Ludology4) Examples5) Discussion– where’s the “middle?”6) Homework

How are we doing?

Is everyone keeping up with Tumblrs?

Are we working on the first Analysis?

Any class related questions at this point?

Play time…

This week I want you to play Card Hunter, a free web game. Don’t spend any money unless you just have plenty on hand and like that sort of thing.

cardhunter.com

Frasca

For today, you read a piece by Gonzolo Frasca that spells out the narratology vs. ludology debate. One of the arguments I have made about this particular reading is that in explaining the differences Frasca actually shows us how completely interwoven the two views are, but you’re free to reject that premise.

Ludus

A Ludologist loves…

WHY?

Narrative…

… is easy to find in many games and impossible to find in others.

For our example, I decided to go a little toward the “edgy” side of narrative theory.

Where do you stand?

Which side do you fall on?

Are you Narratist?

Are you Ludologist?

What about, say…

For Monday…

There are four readings about psychology in gaming. As you read, make note of which concepts you are most interested in.

We’ll also take a break to look at some of the cool stuff you’ve posted to blogs.