If, like me, you’ve wondered how South Korean televised Star Craft actually looks, here is an example. It shows Lim Yo-Hwan take on another player on a custom-made map with inserted Pringles ads.
Not something I see often on Danish television, I must say.
How to write about girl gamers
Richard Cobbett delivers rather scathing observations on the old “Girls in Games” journalism template.
Via Game Politics
The public has spoken
There’s no longer doubt as to which of my Flickr photos draws the largest attention. There’s a lesson there somewhere.
Might we somehow combine games and the paranormal…? :-)
I think that you think that I think
Deadlines are looming. Which means I have a chapter on the relationship between game theory and video games. This chapter is longish.
But if anyone has an interest in this eternally fascinating topic I would love some critical comments. So let me know.
Here’s the brief summary of the chapter: Continue reading I think that you think that I think
Games and violence, looking on the bright side
The ESA has an interesting overview of research which they happen to agree with, i.e. research which questions the games->aggression idea. Unbiased it is not, but hey…
Laid-back satanists
Danes, as a rule, are mellow about their religion (or at least that used to be the case).
This may make it difficult for the enemy to be truly fanatic. Arguably, they could look pretty silly.
I was struck by this when I witnessed a group of satanists entering a train some years ago, only to almost immediately vacate their seats so that a bunch of elderly ladies could sit down. The two groups even exchanged smiles and pleasantries.
Now, apparently the Norwegians are moderately concerned that the upcoming 06.06.06 date may lead to satanist activism in the form of church burnings.
Reason for concern here as well? Brave investigative journalists sought out board member of Satanic Forum Amina Lap who assured:
“The majority of organized satanists are atheists, we don’t believe in Satan or God as existing forces. Nor do we believe in the coming of the Anti-Christ or anything like that. Dates and number are mere curiosities to us. In our local group we discussed whether it would be fun to organize a video night on that day and perhaps watch Rosemary’s Baby. But nobody had the time.”
It’s a mellow world (or country, I should probably say).
New statistics problem
At least one good thing can be said about my data analysis: I’ve now specified the actual question which needs to be tested. But I’m still not entirely certain how I should test it. Suggestions much appreciated.
I’ve done a study of what players talk about when playing different types of video games.
An example: One group played three games and each spoken statement was coded YES/NO on a number of variables. For instance, a statement could be: “Critique of other player” YES or NO.
One group made 481 statements playing Game 1, 670 statements playing Game 2, and 328 statements playing Game 3.
In this case “Critique of other player” occured 0 times in Game 1, 0 times in Game 2, and 7 times in Game 3 (i.e. 0%, 0% and 2,1%).
The hypothesis is that game type affects (verbal) behaviour. Thus, the null hypothesis is: The percentages are the same for all three game types.
How do I test this?
(I have various resource persons working on this and will post any solution that they come up with).
Thoughts on player interaction
Greg Aleknevicus’ 2003 thoughts on Player Interaction are well worth checking out. I was particularly interested in the notion of Multi-player Solitaire which specifically relates to what I’m writing on “strategicness”.
For the Fins
Given the number of Fins in my department. The talented… the irrestistable… winners of the Eurovision song contest:
Players’ Realm anthology forthcoming
The game studies anthology I’ve been editing with Patrick Williams is taking shape. It should be out this fall. And will be known as:
J. Patrick Williams, and Jonas Heide Smith (eds.). 2006 (forthcoming). “The Players’ Realm: Studies on the Culture of Video Games and Gaming.” Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co.
Table of contents etc. here
Update: Seems the publication date has been postponed to early 2007.