get your game on: video gaming @ the library instructor: beth gallaway...
TRANSCRIPT
Get Your Game On: Video Gaming @ the Library
Instructor:
Beth [email protected]
An Infopeople Workshop
Winter 2007
This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project
Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State Library. It provides a wide variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state and are open registration on a first-come, first-served basis.
For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the project, go to the Infopeople website at infopeople.org.
Workshop Overview
• Defining games
• Benefits of games… at the library!
• Defining the gamer
• Creating the gamer friendly library
• Collecting games
• Game programs
• Let’s play some games!
What is a Game?GAME: activity engaged
in for diversion or amusement; synonym: see FUN
VIDEO GAME: 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 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• Xbox• Playstation• Nintendo• PC
Game Controllers
• Keyboard• Mouse• Mat• Guitar• Steering Wheel• Drum• Joystick• Camera• Controllers
Game Screens
• Monitor • Television• Projector/Screen
Ways to Play Video Games
• At an Arcade
• On a PC or Mac
• On a Plug ‘n’ Play Device
• On a Mobile Device
• On a Handheld Device
• On a Console
Plug ‘n’ Play
• Plugs into your TV
• Play begins immediately
PC/Mac Gaming• Computer with a hard drive• PC or Mac Platform
Console Gaming Devices
Handheld Gaming Devices• 32% of households own a handheld device that plays games
Mobile Gaming Devices
• Mobile gaming is expected to quadruple to 11.2 billion by 2010
Why Games at the Library?Games …
• Are just like books, they are just another new format
• Are the medium of choice for the millennial generation
• Meet developmental needs of teens• Build adolescents developmental assets• Are literary• Reinforce new literacy's
Gaming = literacy• Environmental print
– signage– labels– maps
• Reading about the game– instructions– walkthroughs
• Writing about the game– forums– websites
• Chat: – “WTS, Mageweave cloth, 15g”
Gaming Meets 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
Gaming Builds 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
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 in Games*
• Risk –taking 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
Gaming Reinforces New Literacies
• Exposing knowledge
• Employing information
• Expressing ideas compellingly
• Ethics on the Internet
Warlick, David. ”The New Literacies.” Scholastic Administrator. Mar-Apr2005 http://www.scholastic.com/administrator/marapr05/articles.asp?article=newlit
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
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
How Can Libraries Serve Gamers?
1. Use games to do readers advisory
2. Be a strategy guide
3. Embrace your inner technogeek
4. Be flexible … embrace change!
5. Immerse yourself in pop culture … especially video game culture
6. 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?
Roleplaying/MMORPG Games
• Games: – Everquest– Runescape– World of Warcraft– Dark Age of Camelot– Ultima
• Characteristics– epic fantasy setting– good vs. evil theme
• Suggest?
Simulations
• Games: – The Sims– The Urbz
• Characteristics:– Character driven
• Suggest?
Historical Sim Games• Games:
– Civilization– Caesar– Age of Empires– Oregon Trail– America’s Army
• Characteristics– Simulation elements– Historical setting– Alternative history possibility
• 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?
Japanese/Manga tie-in• Games:
– Katamari Damacy– Final Fantasy– Dragonball Z– Pokemon
• Characteristics– Anime style– Japanese culture
• Suggest?
Sports Games
• Games: – Madden Football– NBA Street– Need for Speed– Tiger Woods– Golf
• Characteristics– Sports theme– Competition
• Suggest?
Superhero Games• Games:
– Spider-Man– Fantastic Four– City of Heros
• Characteristics– Heroes/villains setting– Good vs. evil theme– Film tie-ins
• Suggest?
Don’t Forget Print Resources for Gamers
1. Magazines
2. Strategy guides
3. Nonfiction about gaming
4. Fiction with gaming as a plot or subplot
2. Be a Strategy Guide -- Not an Information Maven
• 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. Embrace Your Inner Technogeek
• 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
5. Immerse Yourself in Pop Culture…
• Pop Culture
• Hot High Tech
• Crossovers
… Especially Video Game Culture
• Watch Red Vs. Blue• Read Penny Acade• Read PvP• Set a Google Alert• Subscribe to a gaming podcast or blog• Skim gaming magazines• Pay attention to gaming around you in public
spaces
More Ways to Immerse!• Join the LibGaming Google Group
– Email discussion for gaming in libraries
• Game On! Video Games in Libraries 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 4-10, 2007
6. Try Some Games
• On the Internet• On a Console
Collection Management• Storage depends on:
– format– staff– space– budget
• Theft– start with programs– start small
• Troubleshooting– replacement/repair
Theft• Choose secure storage
• Build community
• Examine circulation policies
Secure Storage• Kwik Cases
• Locking Caps
• Locking Security Straps
Troubleshooting• Clearly label format• Collections are self weeding collection• Games can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol• Scratches can be removed with cleaning devices for
use with CDs & DVDs
Best Practices: Collections in CA
• Rockridge Branch, Oakland Public Library• Ages 13-18 year olds• PS2 games • Limit of 2 games per patron. • No holds and no renewals. • 7 day free checkout• $1/day late fee• $50 / replacement fee• Genres: sports, adventure, racing, fighting, and
shooters.
Best Practices: Collections in US
• Helen McGraw branch of the Irondequoit Public Library
• Games Rated 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
Evaluating Games Plot + Setting+ Character + Graphics + Soundtrack+ Modification/Customization+ Uniqueness________________ Replayability
Plot
• Unique plot
• Compelling story
• Creative gameplay
• Multiple modes of play
Setting• Real physics
• Believable and consistent detail
• Physically plotable
• True to life
Character• Customizable
• Diverse
• Representation of the player
Graphics and Game Physics
• Smooth
• Seamless
• Realistic
• Appropriate
Soundtrack
• Music
• Speech
• Ambient Noise
Support
Finding Good Games• Game Awards
– Websites– Magazines– Organizations– Networks
• Game Reviews– Magazines– Library Journals– Websites
Exercise #7:What Makes a Good Game?
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
Best Practices: Collections in CA
• Rockridge Branch, Oakland Public Library• Ages 13-18 year olds• PS2 games • Limit of 2 games per patron. • No holds and no renewals. • 7 day free checkout• $1/day late fee• $50 / replacement fee• Genres: sports, adventure, racing, fighting, and
shooters.
Best Practices: Collections in US
• Helen McGraw branch of the Irondequoit Public Library
• Games Rated 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
What Makes a Successful Gaming Program?1. Do your homework
2. Provide variety
3. Open up to the community
4. Spread the word
5. Play
Program Tips• Choose games appropriate to age
group
• Choose multiplayer games
• Choose games with short rounds
• Offer two to three games in conjunction with board or tabletop games
Free Play vs. Tournaments• Both are structured
• Both may include other activities
• Emphasis is on fun
• Free play = more casual, self-competitive
• Tournament = more rules, competitive tone and prizes for winners
Model Gaming 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 Gaming 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
