This is the third of a series of collaborative resource building documents for NetNarr 2018. Contributors were asked to add to an open Google Doc any open article, blog post, video about games and gaming.
Contributors: @eniasebiomo, @KMarzinsky, @rissacandiloro, @cogdog, @tiffsanto, @nessacastrii, @stryii, @helterskelliter, @Justinsightfuls, @KMarzinsky, @JasmineDA18, @blaquebeauty_30
Benefits of Game Play
This article is from a psychology blog and highlights some of the physical and mental benefits gameplay (@eniasebiomo)
Playing Video Games Could Help Prevent Alzheimer’s
https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/health/a14379049/video-games-prevent-alzheimers/
This article, published on the website of Esquire magazine, summarizes the results of a study that found playing 3D video games increases the growth of grey matter in the brain even more than learning a musical instrument, thus demonstrating potential for the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. (@KMarzinsky)
How video games can teach your brain to fight depression (Jane McGonigal)
The above published article deals with the benefits of video games in which playing games can fight depression. A study was done in which it was observed that children who play video games have a higher self-confidence, increased physical energy, and positive emotions such as curiosity and excitement. (@tiffsanto)
Training for Enlightenment with Video Games
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/03/video-game-virtual-ninja-martial-arts/556559/
A fascinating account of the culture that surrounds video games, and the fame that follows talented gamers. Chris Goto-Jones introduces readers to a world of gamers who approach games as if they were martial arts, a discipline to be studied, and unpacks the skill and ethics that accompany the true mastery of a game. A great look at gamers as passionate, skilled people. (@rissacandiloro)
Cognitive Benefits of Playing Video Games
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201502/cognitive-benefits-playing-video-games
This article, published on Psychology Today, discusses the positive psychiatric benefits of playing video games. I like the article because the author, Peter Gray, is a doctor, and each of the claims that he makes are well sourced. I looked at his list of references and they are all from recognized journals, which lends credence to his argument. He argues that video games help to build components of intelligence “faster and more efficiently than any other intervention anyone has devised.”
Impact of Game Play (e.g. is it “addictive”?)
No evidence to support link between violent video games and behaviour
In a study of 3000 subjects, researchers at University of York in Canada have found no direct connection between violence and the people who play video games, dispelling the idea of “priming” (@cogdog)
Making Games in the Classroom: Twine and Harlowe 2 (By: Anastasia Salter)
https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/making-games-in-the-classroom-twine-and-harlowe-2/65113
This articles discusses two games that can be used in the classroom which are Twine and Harlowe 2. These two games are used to turn literature into a visual and fun version for learning. (@tiffsanto)
How Video Games Relieve Stress (Elizabeth Scott, Very Well Mind)
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-video-games-relieve-stress-4110349
This article shows an input about how video games gives and also relieves stress. It shows the mind in science towards this discussion. This article also shows the games that are recommended for example, Animal Crossing. (@nessacastrii)
Video Games and Their Effect on Modern Society (Montclair Diplomats, HuffPost )
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/montclair-diplomats/video-games-and-their-eff_b_9873646.html
This article from 2016 speaks about the different benefits that video games provides to the players. Towards the last paragraph, it speaks about how its good in education wide for students.(@nessacastrii)
Why People Play Video Games (Staff, Teachthought )
https://www.teachthought.com/learning/why-people-play-video-games/
Each person has their own reason in wanting to play video games. Besides addiction, the article gives the reader a couple of reasons that no a lot of people know about. Each reason is backed up with facts and specifications. ( @nessacastrii)
Video Games Aren’t Addictive (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/opinion/sunday/video-games-arent-addictive.html
While the article does not dismiss the “perils” that come with playing too many video games, New York Times says that studies show that video games are not an “addiction” in the same way that drugs are. Ultimately, “Playing video games is not addictive in any meaningful sense. It is normal behavior that, while perhaps in many cases a waste of time, is not damaging or disruptive of lives in the way drug or alcohol use can be” (Matter). (@stryii)
Empathy Games: Birth of a Genre? (Eric Bartelson, Control 500)
http://ctrl500.com/developers-corner/empathy-games-%E2%80%A2-fighting-tears/
In this article, Bartelson’s discusses whether or not the “empathy game”– a game that confronts players with real human issues via allowing them to experience these issues–should constitute a new genre in the gaming world. Bartelson discusses the issue with game designers and provides examples of so-called empathy games to continue to illustrate of what elements one consists. The conclusion reached is that many game designers are themselves conflicted over whether or not empathy is a genre or a game mechanic. That said, most believe creators should be striving towards making more meaningful content. (@helterskelliter)
The Risk of Games that Seek to Create Empathy (Simon Parkin, Gamasutra)
https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/268266/The_risk_of_games_that_seek_to_create_empathy.php
“’Many games made for social change or learning are simply doing it wrong,’ she [Colleen Macklin] said.” According to this article, gaming advocates and designers, while well-intentioned, may be creating so-called “empathy games” that do not actually generate the impact they were designed to. Parkin cites Macklin and when he explores why these games fail: “In a game you have complete agency, but in some life situations, people have no choice…” Basically, in trying to tell a story about someone’s life, games can sometimes create the illusion that one has more choices than they actually do in reality. For empathy games to be effective, it seems important to first realize and identify the discrepancies between game and IRL. (@helterskelliter)
Ignore the panic, video games are not training shooters
Author John Phipps approaches this controversial topic from a unique perspective as a former Marine. Phipps describes his personal experience going through boot camp and learning to shoot and kill enemies, and discards the claim that video games encourage real life violence as “utter garbage.” He further debunks the claim that video game controllers help you learn how to aim and shoot by giving a detailed description of shooting a gun in real life, versus in a video game. This is an excellent thought piece that gives credence to the argument that video games may be enjoyed without unnecessary hysteria.
The Social Benefits of Video Games
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/more-mortal/201006/the-social-benefits-video-gaming
Dr. Routledge challenges the age-old claim that video games “make children violent” and are subsequently negatively affecting their social domain. Instead, Dr. Routledge explores the hypothesis that, if antisocial video games cause antisocial behavior (like violence), do prosocial games cause prosocial behavior? His research on case studies with the same hypothesis point toward yes – people who were exposed to prosocial games were more likely to take part in prosocial activities, such as helping the community, and so forth. (@stryii)
Rules, Mechanics of Game Play (what makes it a game?)
9 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Educational Games
https://dmlcentral.net/9-mistakes-avoid-designing-educational-games/
This site talks about the do’s and don’t of what to do when creating an educational game. It mentions all the different areas that need to be touched upon in order to create a great game. (@tiffsanto)
The Storytelling and Art of Games
The Art of Storytelling In Gaming
https://www.sundance.org/blogs/program-spotlight/the-art-of-storytelling-in-gaming#/
This is a fitting introduction to gaming and the importance storytelling has become in it, featuring some responses from developers and game designers about the workings of making a game and a story fit together. (@Justinsightfuls)
GRIFFIA
http://www.griffia.net/
This website serves as a reference for the Griffia Art Roleplaying Game. One can become familiar with the concept and mechanics of ARPGs by looking through the site @KMarzinsky
5e Homebrew – D&D Wiki
https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/5e_Homebrew
This site serves as an example of how the Internet has augmented the tabletop gaming experience. Players from all over the world share ideas for new races, classes, items, etc. for the tabletop roleplaying game, Dungeons and Dragons. @KMarzinsky
The Art of In-Game Photography
http://videogametourism.at/content/art-game-photography
This article discusses the growing art form of “in-game photography,” where artists apply the principles of real-life photography to capturing meaningful, unique images of virtual worlds. (@KMarzinsky)
The Evolution of Storytelling in Video Games
https://parade.com/301954/camayak/the-evolution-of-storytelling-in-video-games/
The article reflects on the history of video games and the evolution of how stories have been and are being told through said medium. As technology advances, so does the potential for making stories more complex, interactive, and cinematic for its players – the world of the video game is able to immerse the player in a full, multimodal experience, which make the storylines and outcomes of the video game that much richer. (@stryii)
Video Games Are Better Without Stories
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/04/video-games-stories/524148/
As someone who feels the exact opposite of this article and everything it stands for, it offers some fairly fair points. There’s been an increasingly focus on making games more “cinematic”, but at what cost to the actual game in the story? It’s a side of gaming that deserves to be weighed in on a little more. (@Justinsightfuls)
The Art of Video Games
https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/games
This article talks about a somewhat recent (2012) exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum that focused on the artistry of video games. It features descriptions, images, and videos. (@KMarzinsky)
Are Video Games Art: The Debate That Shouldn’t Be
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2012/dec/06/video-games-as-art
This article, published by The Guardian, challenges the assertion by a prominent art critic that video games can never be art. It compares video games’ struggle for artistic legitimacy to the Impressionist art movement and Umberto Eco’s literary work. (@KMarzinsky)
The 30 best video game stories ever
https://www.gamesradar.com/the-best-videogame-stories-ever/
Hyperbole aside, this is a list that is relatively modern, featuring several games that I would qualify as “the finest examples of interactive storytelling”. I’ve played about half of the games on the list, and ones that I haven’t played I’ve still familiar with. All are worth experiencing for the story (@Justinsightfuls)
The Importance of Narratives in Video Games ( Jonay Suarez, Wibbu )
https://www.wibbu.com/importance-narrative-video-games/
This short article is about explaining to the readers why it is important to have a storyline in a video game. Not everyone have that same mindset towards it, but it is still worth reading since it gives different ideas about how it works in a game. (@nessacastrii)
Cartridge Lit
https://cartridgelit.com/
Cartridge Lit is an online literary magazine that publishes fiction, essays, and creative nonfiction/essays about, or related to, video games. Their “About” blurb says, “We think video games are literature, and so why shouldn’t there be literature about video games? That’s the question we’re hoping to answer here.” (@KMarzinsky)
Worthy Examples of Online Games (freely available)
Board Game Online
https://www.boardgame-online.com/
Looking for something (free) to do with your friends online? Look no further! Although you may not know what is happening at first, past all of the initial chaos and lack of instruction, the game is very easy to play and get into. It might take a round or two, but after, you and your friends will be throwing yourselves from catapults, going through wormholes, and having your cows run over your friends in order to make it to the finish line and win this beautiful mess of a game. (@stryii)
Bad News (DROG)
https://www.getbadnews.com/#intro
In this game, players become the propagators and perpetuators of “fake news” online. “Drop all pretense of ethics and choose the path that builds your persona as an unscrupulous media magnate” the game encourages. The goal of this game is to gain as main “followers” as you can through establishing fake credibility online (mostly via Twitter). The other goal, in my opinion, is to be as obnoxious as you possibly can i.e Trump. This game can show you how fake news is created and possibly help you better navigate it IRL. (@helterskelliter)
Little Alchemy 2
https://littlealchemy2.com/
A little online, animated game designed to help teach players about science and the ancient practice of alchemy. Players are provided with an initial set of “elements” that they can combine and mix in a “making space” to create new elements and objects which, in turn, can create even more things! The object of the game seems to be to create all 667 elements/objects. (@helterskelliter)
History of Games
Internet Archive Game Historical Collection
https://archive.org/details/historicalsoftware
Explore the old school video/digital games that can be played / emulated in a modern web browser. No quarters needed to play Pac Man, plus Atari, and many more classics (@cogdog)
Computer Games (1984)
https://archive.org/details/Computer1984_4
This video from the “Computer Chronicles” show will give you a taste of what games were look and what they thought of their future way back in the ironic year of 1984 (@cogdog)
IGN Presents the History of Final Fantasy (Travis Fahs & Marty Sliva of IGN)
http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/18/ign-presents-the-history-of-final-fantasy
The Final Fantasy series of video games is one that many people know for its memorable stories and characters. This article provides history and insights into the long-running series. (@KMarzinsky)
Game Trends
2017 Video Games Trends and Statistics. Who’s playing what and why?
https://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/2017-video-game-trends-and-statistics-whos-playing-what-and-why/
- The average gamer is 38 years old
- Households that own device for video game are 65%
- Average number of years games been playing is 13 years
- 48% of people play social games
Devices games are being played on
- PC: 56%
- Console: 53%
- Smartphone : 36%
- Wireless device : 31%
- Handheld system: 17%
People spend 6.5 hours playing online games and 4.5 in person
40% play with friends
21% p;ays with family members
17% Parents
15% Spouse/ partner
They are 58% male gamers and 41% female gamers
60% of video game purchase are men and 40% are women (@blaquebeauty_30)
8 cognitive advantages of playing video games for children
https://www.engadget.com/2017/02/09/8-cognitive-benefits-of-playing-video-games-for-kids/
- Improve Coordination
- Improves problem solving
- Enhances memory
- Improves attention and concentration
- It’s a great source of learning
- Improves the brain’s speed
- Enhances multitasking skills
- Improves social skills
This article talks about the importance of gaming when it comes to the mind. It gives you eight specific points that gaming improves and how. (@blaquebeauty_30)
Serious / Social Impact Games
10 Serious Games that Changed the World
http://www.growthengineering.co.uk/10-serious-games-that-changed-the-world/
This is a list of games that changed the impact games had on their players. Either these games offered a new look at graphics to gaming, or took a completely different route on the message they were sending throughout game play. On this list i have hear of one, which is the initial flight simulator game. (@JasmineDA18)
Evolution of Trust
http://ncase.me/trust/
Based upon events during World War 1 where British and German enemies on the battlefield put aside their differences to reclaim their fallen, to play games and to exchange gifts, this online game aims to ask the questions “Why, even in peacetime, do friends become enemies? And why, even in wartime, do enemies become friends?” (@cogdog)
Social Effects of Video Games that promote helpfulness
https://www.parentingscience.com/effects-of-video-games-prosocial.html (@eniasebiomo)
25+ Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games (Ronaldo Tumbokon)
https://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/34-the-good-and-bad-effects-of-video-games
Every game has positive and negative effects on children and adults. This site talks about both the positive and negative aspects of gaming. It gives you information on both sides of the coin. (@tiffsanto)
Video Games and Their Effect on Modern Day Society (By: Montclair Diplomats) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/montclair-diplomats/video-games-and-their-eff_b_9873646.html
It talks about how the fact that society today is shaped around games and the games from years ago. Our society is structured on the fact that we play games. (@tiffsanto)
Podcasts About Games and Gaming
Psychology of Video Games Podcast
http://www.psychologyofgames.com/podcast/
Each episode of The Psychology of Video Games Podcast features a discussion with a different expert on a specific topic about psychology and video games. Guests include those working in academia, the gaming industry, or as consultants. (@cogdog)
The Dice Tower
http://www.dicetower.com/
Board games? Do people still play them? Heck yes, and there are new ones out all the time. Roll your dice over to this podcast. See also their guide for those new to gaming (@cogdog)
Role Playing Public Radio
http://slangdesign.com/rppr/
An award winning podcast show about role playing games (@cogdog)
Ten Video Game Podcasts You need to Listen to
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/10-video-game-podcasts-you-need-to-listen-to_us_5942f3a5e4b0d188d027fce5
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