Online GamesDistractions, Diversions or Drivers?

‘Traditional’ Games• Programmed responses

• Limited/restricted interactions

• Relatively short periods of engagement

• A distraction from ‘everyday’ life

• Requires high suspension of disbelief

• Could apply to board and card games

2.5d/3d Games• Emphasis on the visual interface

• Information rich and information complex

• Networked capacity

• Greater investment of gaming time

• A ‘virtual’ reality

• Increasingly simulations of ‘everyday’ life

“Gameless” Games• Rich visual interface

• Emphasis on ‘networking’ and interaction

• Game ‘success’ requires social interaction

• The simulation is crafted by the participants (with some assistance)

Augmented reality• High end / low end approaches

• High end – high investment, inaccessible

• Low end – games driven

• Also networked

• Platform independence

Enhanced reality• Arts-based approach

• Practical, needs based(?) approach

• Less game – more reality?

Games as drivers• Online games as a social laboratory

– Experimental environment (e.g. 2nd Life)

• Games as a part of social reality– Time spent, resources invested

• Games as training for ‘everyday’ life– Cybercitizens, experiential environment