swfln get your game on!

Get Your Game On: Video Gaming @ the Library

Instructor:

Beth [email protected]

A SWFLN Workshop

Fall 2007

Introductions

• Name

• Library

• Position

• What games do you play?

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

Arcade Games

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

Video Game Charts. http://www.vgcharts.org. October 6, 2007

http://www.vgcharts.org/

Handheld Gaming Devices

Video Game Charts. http://www.vgcharts.org. October 6, 2007

Console Gaming Devices

Mobile Gaming Devices

• Mobile gaming is expected to quadruple to 11.2 billion by 2010

For Discussion:What Are Some Benefits

of Games?

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 literacies

Gaming = literacy• Environmental print

– signage– labels– maps

• Reading about the game– instructions– walkthroughs

• Writing about the game– forums– websites

• Chat: – “WTS, Mageweave cloth, 15g”

& 4 /\/\ 3 I2 5

G A M E R S

“Leet”

Gaming is the medium of choice for the millennial generation

Gaming by the Numbers:

An Interactive Quiz

1. What is the average age of a gamer?

* Entertainment Software Association. Top 10 Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php

33

2. What % of teens report playing games online*?

* Pew Internet & American Life Project. Teens and Technology, July 2005.

81 %

3. What percent of people over 50 play games?*


24%24 %

4. What % of gamers are female?


38%

5. How much money did computer & video game sales gross in 2005?* $7.6 Billion


6. What % of gamers play on handhelds?


32 %

7. What percentage of games sold in 2005 were rated M?*


15%

8. X% fewer mistakes are made by laproscopic surgeons.*

37%

* James C. Rosser, Jr, MD; Paul J. Lynch, MD; Laurie Cuddihy, MD; Douglas A. Gentile, PhD; Jonathan Klonsky, MD; Ronald Merrell, MD. “The Impact of Video Games on Training Surgeons in the 21st Century.” Beth Israel Medical Center, Iowa State University. Arch Surg. 2007;142:181-186. . Accessed October 8, 2007.

9. Laproscopic surgery is completed X% faster by surgeons who play video games.*

* James C. Rosser, Jr, MD; Paul J. Lynch, MD; Laurie Cuddihy, MD; Douglas A. Gentile, PhD; Jonathan Klonsky, MD; Ronald Merrell, MD. “The Impact of Video Games on Training Surgeons in the 21st Century.” Beth Israel Medical Center, Iowa State University. Arch Surg. 2007;142:181-186. . Accessed October 8, 2007.

27%

10. What % of public libraries allow patrons to play computer games?*

*Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed October 8, 2007.

82%

11. What % of public libraries circulate video games?*


30%

12. What % of public libraries host video game programs?*


13%

What Developmental Needs/Assets Are Being Met?

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

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

http://www.search-institute.org/

What Developmental Needs/Assets Are Being Met?

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

http://www.scholastic.com/administrator/marapr05/articles.asp?article=newlit

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

Runescape

Ways Games Expose Knowledge

2. Employing Information

• Computation

• Measurement

• Analysis

• Application

• Estimating

• Basic arithmetic

• Averages

• Statistics

Lemonade Stand

Let's Try Set Game!

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

FanFiction

Warcraft Tutorial

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 Tie Literacy to Gaming?

1.Use games to do readers advisory

2.Do gaming collection development

3.Offer gaming programs

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?

Reader’s Advisory to Gamers

Roleplaying/MMORPG Games

• Games: – Everquest– Runescape– World of Warcraft– Dark Age of Camelot– Ultima

• Characteristics– epic fantasy setting– good vs. evil theme

• Suggest?

Historical Sim Games• Games:

– Civilization– Caesar– Age of Empires– Oregon Trail– America’s Army

• Characteristics– Simulation elements– Historical setting– Alternative history possibility

• Suggest?

Sports Games

• Games: – Madden Football– NBA Street– Need for Speed– Tiger Woods– Golf

• Characteristics– Sports theme– Competition

• 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?

Simulations

• Games: – The Sims– The Urbz

• Characteristics:– Character driven

• Suggest?

Japanese/Manga tie-in• Games:

– Katamari Damacy– Final Fantasy– Dragonball Z– Pokemon

• Characteristics– Anime style– Japanese culture

• 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

It’s a stool

It’s a table

It’s a storage unit

Flexible seating

Video Rockers

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

Evaluating Games Plot + Setting+ Character + Graphics + Soundtrack+ Modification/Customization+ Uniqueness________________ Replayability

Asteroids

Vector graphics in Asteroids

ZORK

Text RPG Zork

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Plot

• Unique plot

• Compelling story

• Creative gameplay

• Multiple modes of play

Setting

Realistic SettingsCA

Character Customizable Diverse Representation of the player

Graphics and Game Physics

• Smooth

• Seamless

• Realistic

• Appropriate

Soundtrack

Music Speech Ambient Noise

Support

Collecting Games

Game Policy Questions Who is the collection for? What formats will you collect? What genres will you collect? What is your selection criteria? What resources will you use to select? Where will you purchase from? Is there a donation policy? How will the collection be classified/cataloged? Where will the collection be stored? How will it be displayed? What security measures need to be taken? What is the procedure for materials challenge?

Sample Video Game Policy

Schwarzwalder, Jami. “Video Game Collection Development Policy.” Super Mario Brothers Memorial Public Library. November 2005. http://www.mbmpl.org/vg/?page_id=6. July 23, 2007.

Purchasing Games

From game stores Game Stop, EB Games, Game Crazy

• From library companies Baker & Taylor, Thomas Kline/Crimson Multimedia,

S&S Worldwide From retailers

Amazon.com, Comp USA, Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal*Mart

• Direct from the publisher Red Octane

Online Game Tap, PlayFirst, Direct2Drive, Overdrive

Review Sources Game Reviews

Magazines Library Journals Gaming Websites “Family Friendly” Review Sites

Game Awards Websites Magazines Organizations Networks

Library Journals

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

School Library Journal

MagazinesElectronic Gaming Monthly $12.00/yr

Game Informer $19.99/yr

Games For Windows, $12.00/yr

Nintendo Power $19.95/yr

Official Xbox Magazine $24.95/yr

PC Gamer $19.95/yr

PlayStation Monthly (PSM) $10.00/yr

General Interest Magazines

Geek Monthly $19.95/yr

Reader's Digest $24.98/yr

PC Magazine $19.97/yr

Play $17.95/yr

Wired $10.00/yr

Review Sites

IGN GameRankings GameSpot GameSpy

“Family Friendly” Review Sites

Children's Technology Review Common Sense Media Edutaining Kids Gamer Dad Parent's Choice

Awards

• IGN Game of the Year (Jan)

AIAS Game of the Year (Feb)

• Game Developer’s Choice Awards (Mar)

• Game Critics Awards (May)

• BAFTA Excellence in Video Games (Oct)

• GameSpot Game of the Year (Dec)

• GameSpy Game of the Year (Dec)

Ratings The Entertainment Software Ratings Board

(ESRB) is a self-regulating body established by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). ESRB applies and enforces game ratings, advertising and online privacy principles. They are primarily know for evaluating games for violence, sex, language, substance abuse and other characteristics

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

Cataloging Issues Vocabulary/Genre

Sources for game information

System Requirements

Extra content (manual, maps, etc)

Compatibility

Bugs

Title screen vs. main menu?

More Cataloging Issues

“Formally presented information"

Credits

Updates

Mods

Unlockable content?

Best Practices: Collections

Helen McGraw BranchIrondequit (NY) Public Library

Ratings: Games rated E, E10+ and T Platforms: PS2 and PC Loan Period: 14 day circ Late fee: $.25/day Replacement Fee: Game cost+$5 Genres:

compilations sports racing games platformers unique and quirky titles

Rockridge Branch, Oakland (CA) Public Library Ages: 13-18 year olds Platform: PS2 Loan Period: 7 day free checkout Late fee: $1/day Replacement fee: $50 Limits: 2 games per patron; no holds Genres:

sports adventure racing fighting shooteers

Core Collections

PC Games for Children

• Finding Nemo (Disney/Pixar, 2005)• Fisher Price Little People Discovery Games (Vivendi Universal, 2003) • I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe (Riverhillsoft, 2005) • Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Mini Games (Activision, 2004) • Nancy Drew: White Wolf of Icicle Creek (HerInteractive, 2007) • Rollercoaster Tycoon (Hasbro/InfoGrames, 1999)

PC Games for Teens

Age of Empires (Ensemble Studios/Microsoft, 2002) F-15 (Origin/Janes Combat, 1998) Guild Wars (NCSoft/ArenaNet, 2006) The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth (EA, 2004) Sid Meier’s Pirates! (2K Games, 2005) The Sims 2 (Maxis/EA 2005)

PC Games for Adults

Civilization IV (Firaxis/Infogrames, 2005) Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (EA Games, 2002) Space Invaders Anniversary (Empire Interactive, 2003) SWAT 4 (Irrational Games/Vivendi, 2005) Ultimate Mahjongg 20 (ValuSoft Inc.) Unreal (Epic/GT Interactive, 1999)

XBox360 for Children

Cars Mater National (THQ, 2006) FIFA Soccer 08 (Electronic Arts, 2007) Lego Star Wars II (Eidos, Traveller’s Tales, 2007) Harry Potty and the Goblet of Fire (Electronic Arts, 2005) Viva Pinata (Rare LTD, 2006)

XBox360 for Teens

Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (LusasArts, 2007) Guitar Hero II(RedOctane, 2007) Madden NFL 2006 (Electronic Arts, 2005) Need for Speed Underground (EA, 2003) Tony Hawk's Underground THUG (Activision/Neversoft, 2003)

Xbox360 for Adults

Fable (Microsoft Game Studios/ Big Blue Box, 2004) Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 (Ubisoft, 2003) Call of Duty 2 (Activision/Infinity Ward 2005) Halo 3 (Bungie, 2007) Madden NFL 2007 (EA, 2006) Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations, 2005)

PS2 for Children

Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (Traveller's Tales/ Universal Interactive Studios, 2002) Gran Turismo 4 (Polyphony, 2005) Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (EA/ Griptonite Games, 2005) Katamari Damacy (Namco, 2005)

PS2 for Teens

Call of Duty: Finest Hour (Activision, 2004) DDR Extreme 2 (Konami) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (Atari, 2004) Final Fantasy XII (Square Enix, 2006) Kingdom Hearts (Square Enix/Disney, 2002) The Incredibles ( THQ, Inc, 2004) Need for Speed Underground (EA, 2003)

PS2 for Adults

Metal Gear Solid II: Sons of Liberty (Konami, 2001)Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Midway, 2006) Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection (Namco 2006)Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (Ubisoft, 2006) WWE SmackDown 4! Shut Your Mouth (THQ Inc )

Wii

Animal Crossings (Nintendo, 2006) Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (Nintendo, 2006) Legend of Zelda (Nintendo, 2006) Rayman Raving Rabbids (Ubisoft, 2006) Super Paper Mario (Nintendo, 2007) Trauma Center: Second Opinion (Nintendo, 2006) Wii Play (Nintendo, 2006)

Digital Downloads for Gamers

Prima Strategy Guides

eGuides in PDF format

504 titles $12.99 each

Subscription Services

GameTap GameTap is an

online arcade of 900+ video games from Turner

Platform: PC Cost:

$6.95-9.95/month Accounts: 8 logins

per location Limit: No public

performance

GameTap Collection Atari 2600 (104) Commodore 64

(55) Sega Dreamcast

(7) Sega Genesis (81) Intellivision (12) Windows (377) ... and more!

GameTap Membership

Games On Demand: Unlimited Games on demand:

Unlimited Play is a monthly subscription service from Comcast

Platform: PC Ratings: E 10+ T

M 500 titles Cost: $14.95/monthhttp://gamesoduser.comcast.net/gamesondemand/unlimited.html

Games On Demand: Kids Play Games on

Demand: Kids Play is a monthly game subscription service from Comcast

Platform: PC Ratings: EC/E 72 Titles Cost: $7.95/month

http://gamesoduser.comcast.net/gamesondemand/unlimited.html

PlayFirst

Playfirst is a game site from Viacom with free demos and full versions for sale

Platform: Mac/PC Ratings: N/A Cost: $19.95

http://www.playfirst.com/

Direct To Drive

Direct to Drive provides game downloads from IGN.

Platform: PC Titles: Ratings E-M Cost: $20-$49.99

http://www.direct2drive.com

Shockwave Unlimited

Shockwave unlimited provides ad-free access to downloadable games from Atom Entertainment

Platform: PC Cost: $4.95-

$9.95/month

Direct to Drive Bargains

Overdrive Overdrive has a

collection of productivity and arcade games accessible via library card

Platform: PC Titles: 70 Cost: ???

http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/mediaformats/games.asp

Download to Library Computer

StepMania DDR for your

fingers... unless you plug in a USB pad

http://www.stepmania.com/

Snood

Puzzle game... or shooter?

http://www.womgames.com/games /

Games to Bookmarkfor Children

Apple Corp Premise: Mr. Potato Head, but with

other fruits & vegetables

http://apple-corps.westnet.com/apple_corps.2.html

Fun Brain Educational games

with math, science & reading themes

http://www.funbrain.com/

Girls Go Tech Girl Scout website

with games related to badgework on codes & communication

http://www.girlsgotech.org/games.html

Neopets Raise a virtual,

electronic pet. Highly commercial.

http://www.neopets.com/

WebKinz Webkinz pets are

lovable plush pets that each come with a unique Secret Code. With it, you enter Webkinz World where you care for your virtual pet, answer trivia, earn KinzCash, and play the best kids games on the net!

http://www.webkinz.com/

Games to Bookmarkfor Teens & Adults

Darfur is Dying A serious

simulation game about genocide. Keep your refugee camp stable in the face of many threats

http://www.darfurisdying.com/

Runescape Medieval styled

MMORGP

http://www.runescape.com/

Kingdom of Loathing Free and funny

turn-based RPG with online chat/group option

http://www.kingdomofloathing.com

IFiction Archive of over 250 text adventure games, also called Interactive Fiction.

http://www.ifiction.org/

Set Game Goal: locate 6 set

from the 12 cells by selecting 3 cells to create a set

http://www.addictinggames.com

Shockwave Free online games

including arcade games, action games, sports games, puzzle games, flash games and more.

http://www.shockwave.com/home.jsp

Chicktionary Word Scramble

Game

http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/chicktionary.jsp

Addicting Games Free online games


http://www.addictinggames.com

Bob the Blob Premise: Bob the

Blob is sucked into a 3rd dimension while eating his hamburger. Can you help him escape this world of endless possibilites?

http://www.addictinggames.com/blobbob.html

Bonus Free online games


http://www.bonus.com/

Education Arcade Learning through

authentic and engaging play

http://www.educationarcade.org

Games for Change The Serious

Games Initiative is focused on uses for games in exploring management and leadership challenges facing the public sector; games in education, training, health, and public policy.

http://www.gamesforchange.org

Gaia Online 3-D digital

community. Play games to earn points to customize your avatar.

http://www.gaiaonline.com

Second Life 3-D virtual world

created and owned by it's residents

http://secondlife.com

What Makes a Successful Gaming Program?1. Do your homework2. Provide variety3. Open up to the community4. Spread the word5. Play!

Choose a Game That is... Multiplayer Short Rounds Rated E or T Easy to Learn Challenging to Master Appealing to a wide demographic

Model Gaming Programs: 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

More Model Gaming Programs

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

Program Planning Date/Time/Location

Audience

Style

Games

Food

Prizes

“Ddr+gutiart hero= fun”“Awesome cuz everyone gets along with

each other, there’s no waiting in line or nething (sic). Plus guitar hero is a wicked rad game.”

“I loved ddr”“I liked this because there’s too few of the DDR

community around. This is a good opportunity to meet people with like interests.”

Evaluations• Beth Gallaway• informationgoddess29@

gmail.com• 603.247.3196• del.icio.us/

informationgoddess29/swfln