Sunday, April 27, 2014
Exploring the Ethics of The Castle Doctrine by Caroline Petit
Exploring the Ethics of The Castle Doctrine by Caroline Petit describes the mechanics of the game "The Castle Doctrine" and what the game may mean to the players. It's a simple game where the player robs other houses and protects their own. Since the characters are family members, people think the game is about fearing the world specifically in the 90s? I'm sure most games can teach people to fear the world. The author mentioned the influence that news channels have on viewers. Like most people comment, the news mostly shows horrible things like murder. If someone watched the news all the time they might fear everything. That reminds me of when I was in middle and high school and some kid would mention that theres a list of everything that can give you cancer (this scenario has happened multiple times) and then every kid freaks out and doesn't wear deoderant for a week. I say this with almost every blog I write for this class, journal writers are like fiction writers, they find any way to stretch out a story. In Petit's case, she found any way to make an article relating to this game. People shouldn't force topics. Based on the comments, Petit didn't even seem to have valid points or research. I don't watch the news so I don't know about Trayvon Martin. Of course I've heard the name, but did I really care to memorize everything about him? Hell no. Anyways, people are looking way too into everything. I wish people would live simpler lives and stop watching garbage tv shows, news, and other bullshit.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Pay to Win?
Mike Rose's article included a lot of common and new topics regarding the ethics behind pay to play and free to play games. Throughout the article I kept being reminded of my own spending habits when it comes to the mmo I play, TERA. I used to feel bad about spending real money on the game, but then I realized that it is worth the money because of the social rewards I gain. TERA isn't pay to win, however some mounts now come with boosts, so it is definitely starting to lean in that direction. The way I justify my spending is that if I weren't paying$11 on some fake item, I would be spending it elsewhere like a movie or food. Since I spend a majority of my time in this game, it's definitely worth it. However, I don't spend as much as a "whale" as Mike explains. I spend maybe on average $10 a month on the game, which is actually less than if you pay for the subscription for better perks for $14.
A lot of the issue with the pay to win tactics seems to be that it is a form of gambling. Companies are always out to get money and the gambling and random chance definitely encourage it. I don't see it as a bad thing though. Someone has to pay the company's employees. Haha. It takes a certain type of person to become a "whale", and as long as their spending is justified, I don't think it's a problem. There is always someone who is addicted to something in a poor way, but since games are newer, people worry too much about it. I can name multiple people who blow thousands on dvds each year. Games are just being monitored a lot.
One problem though with pay to win types of games, is that it can ruin immersion and also take away from developing other aspects of the game. My example with TERA is that the company knows we realllly like costumes. They put out more costumes than other content, which is nice (because I'm a tera player and we love costumes)! But people have been seeing it as milking the game. It's starting to become a slightly older game, but it has amazing mechanics. We just hope there will be more pvp related content soon.
Overall it's really up to the player what they feel is right to spend on a game. If it becomes too much of a problem, they will realize it. If they don't seek help then maybe there is another factor causing this. But like I said, the only real problem is that companies aren't developing other aspects of the game to make it more fun. Its nice that mmo's lately aren't doing pay to win though.
A lot of the issue with the pay to win tactics seems to be that it is a form of gambling. Companies are always out to get money and the gambling and random chance definitely encourage it. I don't see it as a bad thing though. Someone has to pay the company's employees. Haha. It takes a certain type of person to become a "whale", and as long as their spending is justified, I don't think it's a problem. There is always someone who is addicted to something in a poor way, but since games are newer, people worry too much about it. I can name multiple people who blow thousands on dvds each year. Games are just being monitored a lot.
One problem though with pay to win types of games, is that it can ruin immersion and also take away from developing other aspects of the game. My example with TERA is that the company knows we realllly like costumes. They put out more costumes than other content, which is nice (because I'm a tera player and we love costumes)! But people have been seeing it as milking the game. It's starting to become a slightly older game, but it has amazing mechanics. We just hope there will be more pvp related content soon.
Overall it's really up to the player what they feel is right to spend on a game. If it becomes too much of a problem, they will realize it. If they don't seek help then maybe there is another factor causing this. But like I said, the only real problem is that companies aren't developing other aspects of the game to make it more fun. Its nice that mmo's lately aren't doing pay to win though.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
DICE 2010: "Design Outside the Box" Presentation
Wow this video was definitely an eye opener. Lastly I've been having to brainstorm ideas for projects in class, such as an intro screen and button animation etc for my 2d Art classes. Most people in my class already have games they want to base these projects around. Unlike everyone else, I don't have a game I've been itching to make. I didn't sign up for Columbia to make the game of my dreams. i came her to learn how to work in the industry. So my background is mostly about marketing. I love the idea of locking into people's desires when it comes to creating a game. That's why I'm studying game art. it's a psychological factor. Although I won't be designing the concepts of the game if I were to be a part of a large company, these ideas that Jesse brought up have inspired how I will work.
It always seemed like everyone wanted to be natural. It's like why haven't we been doing that all along? Even I've beeen feeling almost depressed because nothing is real. I've been yearning to get outside, away from my screen. but i need my screen. There must be a way to integrate technology with nature or at least natural things.
Speaking of which, I've been following this new game that should come out god know's when called Skyforge. One of the things this game will do is somehow link the game to real life. In the forum posts, people have mentioned tablet apps and stuff related tot he game while you're outside of it. i think this is an awesome way to make the games more real.
I've personally been trying to make games feel more real. I spend a ton of hours playing this game called TERA. Instead of sucking myself into the game and living only a fantasy life, I've found it more entertaining to bring the game to the real world. I've been using concepts in the game for real life paintings, I started a facebook group for my guild, I've participated even more in the servers facebook page, etc. Even other members are doing it as well. The prominent people on the Global chat in my server have come together and made a skype chat group where we hang out with our own real voices and talk about non TERA related things. overall it's been really refreshing knowing that my in game friends are pretty much my real friends now.
Alongside all of this, the video has really gave me hope for a more game like future. We all want fantasy but we all want realty. how can we make reality as good at fantasy? By integrating it. By closing the gap and making it true. There won't be cool ass buildings or the ability to fly, but there sure will be fun adventures and a sense of accomplishment through real life achievements.
Overall, this talk was really exciting. And the act that Jesse presented in front off what I would assume are important members of the gaming industry, makes it even more exciting. Who knows what is in store. I'm just glad I'll be alive when this all happens.
It always seemed like everyone wanted to be natural. It's like why haven't we been doing that all along? Even I've beeen feeling almost depressed because nothing is real. I've been yearning to get outside, away from my screen. but i need my screen. There must be a way to integrate technology with nature or at least natural things.
Speaking of which, I've been following this new game that should come out god know's when called Skyforge. One of the things this game will do is somehow link the game to real life. In the forum posts, people have mentioned tablet apps and stuff related tot he game while you're outside of it. i think this is an awesome way to make the games more real.
I've personally been trying to make games feel more real. I spend a ton of hours playing this game called TERA. Instead of sucking myself into the game and living only a fantasy life, I've found it more entertaining to bring the game to the real world. I've been using concepts in the game for real life paintings, I started a facebook group for my guild, I've participated even more in the servers facebook page, etc. Even other members are doing it as well. The prominent people on the Global chat in my server have come together and made a skype chat group where we hang out with our own real voices and talk about non TERA related things. overall it's been really refreshing knowing that my in game friends are pretty much my real friends now.
Alongside all of this, the video has really gave me hope for a more game like future. We all want fantasy but we all want realty. how can we make reality as good at fantasy? By integrating it. By closing the gap and making it true. There won't be cool ass buildings or the ability to fly, but there sure will be fun adventures and a sense of accomplishment through real life achievements.
Overall, this talk was really exciting. And the act that Jesse presented in front off what I would assume are important members of the gaming industry, makes it even more exciting. Who knows what is in store. I'm just glad I'll be alive when this all happens.
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