First of all, one of the coolest things I've done here so far is play Nintendo Wii in one of my classes this semester. It is really fun, and if I ever buy a new console, this is what I'll get. With all the hubub of Playstation 3 just coming out, Nintendo Wii has been a suprise hit that I think is hard to find in stores still because people keep buying them up. Why it's cool: the players use wireless "wand" like controls with wriststraps that communicate the players' motion. So sports games are popular with it - I played bowling, tennis, and baseball and had a lot of fun.
My opponent and I were standing up and active while playing, so chalk one up for nintendo being smart in making a console that encourages physical activity. The games are "simplified" (in baseball you don't field the ball, you just pitch or hit), but still a lot of fun. The other cool thing is that despite the graphics being relatively simple, you can design your own players to look suprisingly similar to yourself or people you know. And in bowling, all of the created characters lounge and interact in the background during a game, and it's just kind of fun to see. Celebrities were also characters, like Spock, and the fish captain guy from Return of the Jedi. So I'm pumped about it, and will probably buy the Wii 2 by the time I can afford to get one.
Video games are the focus I'm taking on for my dissertation, though I'm still working on finding my exact focus. Here's my thinking: I'm coming from a film background and an instructional design background, and now am in an educational program researching video games heavily. I'm interested in all three areas (or four areas, I guess), and after brainstorming figured out that I'm really interested in the "story" and how stories can be used to teach.
Right now I'm looking into the question of how the design of narrative structures in video games might impact how people learn from them. It's really broad, and I'm talking with other grad students and professors to whittle it down to a good research question, but i'm still having trouble. Story, or narrative is the commonality between film, instruction, and video games that interests me, but I'm trying to find that "so what?" answer.
Some of my questions: Would tweaking the narrative structure (or narrative architechture, as Henry Jenkins would say), of a game affect the things people learn? Are there narrative design practices that could inform good instructional design? Or does good narrative design in a game pretty much just enhance engagement of the player? It seems to me that scaffolding (supporting the learner, and then gradually taking away that support as they become autonomous) is a technique used in both video games and instructional design. Good scaffolding (think helping a child learn how to ride a bike) is a delicate thing, I think; a learner needs to feel in control of something (increasingly) to be happy while learning. So maybe I could look into scaffolding techniques used in both practices and compare.
The education world and federal government are really interested in video games and simulations right now, so it's an exciting time to be looking at education and video games. In one of my classes we're using video game design software that is being built right now in our department. Any ideas for a video game I should make this semester? Maybe I'll stick to my roots and make my own Street Fighter game.
Also, my prof. Kurt Squire assigned us to play through 2 or 3 games this semester. Sweet! By a twist of fate my brother in law James let me borrow his Playstation 2, and tons of games. So right now I'm playing "Kingdom Hearts," a 2002 hybrid of action and rpg (role playing game). I've never been big into rpg's, like Zelda, but I'm liking the genre more as I play this. The premise is that four characters from the "Final Fantasy" world are involved in a story with Disney worlds and characters. I've just started, and am a final fantasy guy trying to get off of an island. I'm getting into it.
If you've read this far, thanks for spending the time!! And if you can find a way, play a Wii!!
10 comments:
Ok, let me get this straight. Your assignment is to play two video games from start to finish. I get sick just thinking about how much fun you are having compared to my law school assignments. Can you say pre-mid-life crisis? To think that I could be playing video games professionally. Luckily, I'm very happy w/ my current job. Your thesis sounds interesting, but I must admit that narrative plays very little role in the games I enjoy--sports games. Winning is all that matters. Perhaps I'm conflicted by the concept of video game narrative having moral value. I've always viewed them as strictly a diversion. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy them, but I can't say I have ever learned something of value by playing a video game. Strike that comment. I take it back. MVP baseball has taught me about pitch location (and that self-made super players will beat the computer every time--kind of like the Yankees with all their money); Madden has taught me how to read defenses; and I learned how to parry and counter punch by playing fight night (its much safer than the real thing). Actually, if you are looking for a fun game (and if Emily, unlike Katie, permits boxing games in your house), try fight night. But be careful, playing it all the way through may give you thumb blisters.
On a personal note, your writing has improved! Keep up the good work.
Cblakes, I need to spend more time reading your post so that I can respond accordingly, but as a quick side note, if you ever need help with homework, please feel free to call me. I always set aside a couple of hours a week to help syblings.
Cblakes, I was watching Judge Joe Brown when I came home today for lunch. During the commercial break and while Judge Joe Brown was contemplating the compelling evidence against a dog breeder, I saw a commercial for a school where people go to learn how to design video games and go on to have exiting careers. Is this the kind of school that you are going to?
Your classes sound so cool. When you design your first video game, don't forget the little people. I hope that there is a character in it that looks just like me. That would rock.
Here is my only idea. I have always thought that a good idea to stimulate the creativity of kids would be for one kid to draw random pictures of whatever he wants, and then when he is done, let another kid write a story about the pictures.
I hope that one of your many thousands of readers doesn't still my idea.
have you played the Warrior's video game? That combines the narrative structure of the movie with fighting.
Wow Cblakes, I think that's pretty cool to be assigned to play video games for school. I'm happy to hear that there are some video games incorporating physical activity.
Juddy, that is very unselfish of you to offer to help your siblings.
Jayme, I'm sure Ian is equally envious of video games vs. con law or torts assignments.
Spence, that is a cool idea.
Jayme - hopefully one day I'll be able to tell you all the great things video games have taught you:) When I got stuck playing tea party with emily and mary I told them it earned me time playing Rocky on our PS2.
Rumbler - I'll be needing to study people playing video games. You might need to come to wisconsin soon.
Darth Spencer - I like your idea for an assignment - that really would be good I think. And if I ever make a game with a wise wizard I'll make him look like you. That's a promise.
Amber - I'll have to check out warriors. hopefully it's on ps2.
Ian(who I think is Katie) - about physical games - I've also heard that some schools use "dance dance revolution" in their gyms! I heard you all played it for your halloween competition...
Do you like the Rocky game?
Jayme-
my dad has Rocky on the PS2 and I think its great. Its one of the only sports games that I am capable of playing. I honestly think that it has enhanced my understanding of boxing and what puches to use. Reading The Power of One also helped. Gil Peat was an amzing coach.
Can you do a 13-punch combo?
Absoloodle
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