At face value, having not read this article (yet), I am always quite resistant to claims that games (or simulations) are so-called "answers." As I argued in my conclusion (which read read during C1), games and game-based learning may be useful for various reasons (like encouraging agency and creativity), but as a silver bullet, I'm always a bit dubious.

I'm curious to learn more about these previous teaching experiences.

I'm curious, having read your post, how notions of peace define outcomes of play or characterize the game play experience - in other words, peaceful means vs peaceful outcomes.

Just made me think of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn

https://youtu.be/Xa6c3OTr6yA

Humane behavior is detrimental to conflict. Everybody can win much more through mutual respect, cooperation and collaboration. But greed is a difficult beast to kill.

It is interesting how it's considered a war simulation when chess is seemed to be a relatively calm game.

Great connection!!!

Do you consider competition against someone else or can somebody compete against themselves?

Very true. People are pushing, even within the early ed realm, for student portfolios. I think outcomes are becoming more and more a measure of success. Whether or not people actually want the information that these pushes will produce is yet to be seen in formal primary and secondary education. Because, seriously, how do you evaluate a student's intellectual proficiency based upon a finger painting from a 4-year-old? Seriously.

Great points.

Data could be tainted, too, because the students were active, critical members of fields completely related to the researchers and the nature of the research itself. I'm wondering if the students knew the people conducting the research.

My buddy won't watch anime that isn't 2D. I've never probed him to find out why that is. Your research makes me curious to ask him why. I scanned the article and didn't see age of study participants listed (I'm guessing mid to late 20s based upon other info listed in the article). I think age would be a valuable factor worth mentioning in the article. I mention this factor because socially it could effect some of the data mentioned in the article. I think my friend, and maybe some of the research participants, might hold standards for value relating to how they view factors like 2D vs 3D in a gaming experience. I have no idea if this is true, just a thought.

Any specific focus--tech, social, science, etc?

The ability to connect interests is a very motivating factor as a consumer/student. I love the term transmedia storytelling--very fitting.

Gotta learn something new everyday!

Quicker strategy games are nice becuase it makes for quicker turn around for trying new approaches or honing old ones.

I love games where I know what I have passed to the next player. Such a great way to add a new level of strategy. Now I need to think not only about how to maximize my returns but inhibit the next player with what I pass to them.

My always cheated so it could be that.

We were a big board game family too.

This factor seems like it would provide an excellent opportunity to study reasoning and diplomacy as players unite against those with the most points and alliances form and dissolve as the game is played.

Great point about games played in person. I got to know my in laws much better after playing board games with them. I will always remember the sneer from my father-in-law(though this sentence sounds bad, we have an excellent relationship) when I buzzed him while we were playing Taboo. These games form memories that just don't translate in video game play.

The first thing I think of when I hear "card-game" is "boring." But there are some complex ones out there. This sounds like one. I have gotten into Magic the Gathering battle card game a bit recently.

As long as a game has the history, names, dates, etc. correct, then they can be great for education. The actual design of the game is a whole other matter.

In the free sandbox mode, you suggest, how could interest in the free version be leveraged into encouraging the consumer to buy the full version? In my head maybe previews of skills that could be unlocked or maybe the promise of a large online community.

The Gee reading in Cycle 1 would say it had become more of a puzzle then a game.

I would bet that that is exactly what the creators wanted you to conclude, that having more control to be creative in the design of the town would lead to greater enjoyment - SO go buy the full version with that creative freedom. The free version is probably a little flat by design - if it is too engaging what motivation is there to spend money on the full version.

I see the desire from the developer to make this simulation are real as possible but I agree that there could have been a better approach then to start with characters using the toilet. Do you think providing access to food or shelter from weather would have been more appropriate?

I also have not done much online gaming and was excited to use this play journal a a chance to test out the online gaming waters.

Isn't there an instance where you can have interactions with other people/characters from external sources, such as people entering your town? Or maybe that function doesn't exist on the FreePlay version (or at all, as I am not familiar with the game, thought I remember hearing something about that tho)

I believe that the SIMS game/franchise has been under scrutiny regarding some instances of the game prompting an outbreak of bullying. Cause and effect could probably be better gained elsewhere.

Do you think this was do to your version being a FreePlay version? Other than cost, did the paid version offer any additional features?

I, too, have experienced this in some game play situations. It is easy to lose interest. I have never played SIMS, however, I remember playing SIMCity a LONG time ago (probably 25 years ago). But I have never been enticed enough to play SIMs - popular or not.

First things, first. Ha.

Good assessment. With simulation games, there needs to be an emotional draw to maintain motivation. Add in cumbersome options...with minimal to no emotional appeal...that is a recipe for dullness.

Go seems to be more focused on finding and controlling tactical positions.

So interesting the number of possibilities form a seemingly basic game. I found some calculations of the number of possible legal moves in a game on a 19x19 board at Sensei's Library, an affinity space for Go players. They report that there are 2.082 × 10^170 leagal moves, for me that is mind blowing.

Easy to learn; hard to master

I has thought Go was Japanese, thanks for the heads up.

Which one did you choose? Do you think this is a reflection of your personality, personal taste in home location, play style, or something else?

What made you want to create a character that resembled you? I remember that when I played this game I had two ways of creating characters. One way was to create myself exactly (or as close as I could) the way that I looked in real life without alterations and the other was to create characters that I made up and had no connection to my reality. The first way of playing allowed me to live out scenarios that may not ever get to happen to me in real life and the second way was to just have fun and create and live out a fictional story.

From the way you've described these features, I feel like I would learn some things about myself through play.

I'm finding in my own experience that the cognizant action of disregarding the pop-up tutorials and audio prompts signifies a growing level of mastery. After 8-10 missions in the game I'm playing, I'm now finding I play better when I turn on music and don't pay attention to tips. After a while, they serve more as a distraction than a benefit.

Just curious, how many gigs was the install? The game I chose used 30 gigs and took forever, even on a fast machine.

Given your interests, this game sounds like an excellent match.

just save it frequently. Game crashing on any system is an inevitability.

I appreciate games that give a lot of options for creating a character. It makes the game world more diverse and allows for more personal expression. Though sometimes all of those options can be overwhelming and I will just pick a random configuration to just get into the game.

I tried the first one out and thought it was interesting. I got silly with it by testing the system. I built four walls around one of the sims to see what would happen, give them no way to clean dishes, or just let the trash pile up.

Do you think that practice alone will help you improve your strategy in this game? How could collaborative learning play into your increased understanding of the game?

I enjoy these types of games a lot, because even though you may not be winning the war, you still have the ability to win smaller battles. These smaller victories make me feel like I experienced some kind of victory despite not winning overall which keeps me coming back to the game again.

In games like this, I tend to exploit certain strategies repeatedly within the same game or over the course of several games in order to gain advantages over my opponent. Do you ever fall into similar traps with your thinking in these freer games?

Interesting game focus shift. Usually when it is PVP on a game board similar to this, capture is 50% of strategy.

What was the motivation for selecting this game for your 1st play journal?

This is an astute assessment. Excessive freedom does impose a challenge in game play, unless you are a decisiveness individual (I am not).

You would start to see patterns emerge and repeated through the course of the games. The outcomes of those patterns give you insight in to what you can do the next time around.

Do you think both styles of play are supported? I always just think about capturing the most pieces in these types of games and would probably lose. This also seems like a predecessor to real time strategy games.

It does seem like newer board games create more and more rules. I wonder why this is?

Could this be intentional? Providing opportunities for exploration so that the user doesn't feel like they're just going through the motions when they're ready to start a mission?

What is it about the gaming environment that is keeping you playing the game while simultaneously wanting to up the challenge?

It's nice to have the control over the difficulty and sometimes even the parameters of the game itself.

I do to. A lot of games have started using loading screens for tips about the upcoming mission, or the game in general. They also usually use concept, or other artwork for something to look at too.

I only played the first starcraft. The second one is enticing too. Including that kind of complex information for a game is nice for reference and learning more about how to get better along with just playing the game.

Let's try to create a list of these valuable principles that are included in game design.

Your design goals seem like they would be greatly affected if you choose to collaborate. I'm getting the sense that there is a bit of social science in this game as players could potentially build societies and war.

There's great potential for collaboration or rivalry. What have you noticed so far? More rivalry or collaboration? I'm curious what the benefits would be broken down for each option in this particular game.

Lol, you punch dinosaurs. I love it. I know that isn't constructive feedback but I had to comment.

Nice, simple way to increase engagement by giving players a little extra control of the experience.

So it kind of gives you beta testing access? That's really cool. I'd be curious to hear what kind of changes you experience in the game play as it evolves.

So single player - the game constraints are hunger/thirst & survival from animal predators, -VS- PVP where you have to consider the play of other characters such as attacks and looting? I suppose you could practice & explore in single-first?

Could you explain a bit more...buggy moments, as in there was some lag in the game because of the servers? Or just some glitches overall? I watched the first 10 minutes of your video. (it may have explained later)

Definitely or I was thinking, Battle Royale, which is a Japanese film that was released in 2003, I believe. Or definitely The Hunger Games.

Insightful assessment. This game would indeed encourage cooperation to survive, but of course there is an element of competition. Survival of the fittest. Kill together, until you're on the chomping block.

Do you feel as though it allows for true creativity or just challenges you with your level of resourcefulness?

Sounds like there is a hierarchy of play. Prioritizing your efforts. Gather, collect, build, protect, which to do first?!?!

Who forms this alpha tribe? How do they make decisions that influence your game play?

Does this mean that other people are playing the game? Or are these computer generated people? I was just wondering because the ability to interact with other people in this game seems high tech if this for XBox 1.

0 for 1 on the friends it sounds like. How can you make friends if everyone runs around clubbing you?

Is this similar to DayZ? I watched a little of the video, that part where you punched the log for 30 seconds. Watching does make me curious about player interaction in a game like this. I'm wondering if there are any reasons not to kill other players. DayZ was scary, players would strip you of all your gear and then set you free without anything or put one in the back of your head.

I'm been wanting an awesome dino game. Did the game feel like a complete game or is it still too early?

understandable way to equalize the parcipants and keep the focus on the material.

clever idea

I am sure it was more memorable for them making it easier to recall the context and what was being taught.

by the end of this course we will have harnessed this power in order to destroy the galaxy. Wait, I think I got that wrong...

There is some great artwork produced for games. The concept work alone is impressive. There is a lot for kids to emulate and study with that genre of digital art.

great analogy.

Do these typically start with a tutorial or do they throw you right in? Or customizable is the learning experience? I easily get frustrated with these types of games.

Do you know if there is any significant difference between playing on an IPad vs PC/Mac? I downloaded the free version on my phone. I must say it is too small of a screen to really enjoy it. The game was build to see on a large screen in my opinion.

I grew up in Cleveland, even closer to Cedar Point. I used to work at Geauga Lake. NOW I understand your love of rollercoasters!! I have the same addiction.

Are there any real world lessons that can be gained from playing RCT?

Agreed! Roller coaster capital of the world! Might be biased though as I'm from Columbus.

Did you see any connections to our readings?

That's a lot of RollerCoaster Tycoons....

Maybe this is the point of the game? There is not always a happy ending. I sort of enjoy the idea of disappointment throughout the game, that to me mirrors the apocalyptic theme. Would you want to play again? Do you think because you were the Betrayer you have a different opinion of the game?

Reminds me of the Oregon trail. You make this game seem so ominous. How long did it take you to read through the instructions ( 12 pages?!) Based on your feedback, I have a sense there is a lot of intricacies to this game. Was there any confusion when you played?

Love this, I am a zombie anything fan! Have you played any other board games that were similar to this one? I think would be something I would enjoy.

In case anyone is interested, I found a brief video (because I'm a super visual person) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01qyt906RL4

This games seems oddly familiar... I don't think I've ever played. Is it like Scattegories? I haven't played Scattegories in a long time so I might be way off :)

Do you think this game would be good in an educational setting or is it more for fun with friends?

Great connection! Do you think that memorization plays a part in this at all? I'm not familiar with the game but have played games like this in the past and it seems to get "easier" because you are learning / remembering what the cards and answers are.

Is this a game that constantly challenges thinking or would you say one could easily get bored after a few plays?

I would be curious to learn more about the social interactions between colleagues and the roles assumed during the game. Did one person assume lead and expect everyone to follow or was it more democratic? My only experience with these types of games has been with friends and family where people assume congenial roles of equality.

Awesome choice, both for the lessons that can be learned about social interaction and their rising popularity.

I did one of these with my in-laws...random people might have been better :)

This is a very important skill as everyone at some point will need help, no matter how smart or advanced they are. Learning this early on in life can help a person avoid serious frustration later down the road.

Not being a serious gamer myself, I too find the myriad of tasks and challenges to be overwhelming in many games. So much so, that I often go back to my Nintendo NES when I need a good video game fix.

Sounds like a great addition to the introduction as it provides a give and take learning process as opposed to a predetermined tutorial.

It is interesting that you had the option to move on to a different puzzle if you had trouble with one.

Did you find it helpful?

was it truly problem solving? I ask because I have tried using this analogy (video games involving problem solving) in my math classes, but the students argue that they don't use math skills to do any problem solving. Do you feel like theres was some hidden math to it, since problem solving is really math?

If you were to offer up suggestions to the game designer on ways to customize the experience, what would they be?

I would have done the same thing... I have to print out everything i read too for school! Do you think younger generations do this? Or, because they are so used to doing everything digital, it's easier straight from the device?

What does FPS stand for?

This is so important for people to read because learners need to see how connected the two are.

Is this a board game or computer game? Can it be played with more than two people?

That is a very big time span!

Is this a game you would continue playing? Did you feel satisfied with your overall gameplay?

Brings up what we've been about with equity. I remember playing Pokemon as a kid, I couldn't afford to buy all the nice booster packs as my friends so I had no chance of winning a turnament

I think this also limits play. The player isn't as in control of their own outcome as much.

This is so critical for students. They should be able to relate skills and transfer skills from one topic to another.

very interesting!

Did you find this to be beneficial or boring/waste of time?

I like how you went a little out of your comfort zone! This probably made for a good experience while you were playing.

This is interesting, what keys do you think would work better for movement. Having played many PC games, I do not even think about this.

One thing I learned the hard way is to never dig straight down...

Yoshi for me! Also I don't think this game needs a ton of skill. Every time I'm in first I'll get "blue shelled" and lose. /bitter

Do you think there are any other genres it could be classified into?

I remember hosting my own server back in the day. I would turn off all of the monsters and give myself infinite supplies. I was mostly a builder. I think this helped create a customizable learning experience for myself.

Are there any ways to make it more playful?

Do you think any collaboration can take place here?

I love jigsaw puzzles, every Christmas my family still works on a 1000 piece puzzle together.

Ha!

Gosh, this couldn't be more important right now... I've always been weary about the news and the media and now, more than ever, we need to be extra sensitive to what's being said. I never thought about annotations before our class-- what a valuable (and extremely powerful) tool to give people (from all over the world) the opportunity to open up for honest, intelligent, conversation. It encourages us to think for ourselves and question everything media is pushing on us! I'll be interested to see where this goes...

Thanks for sharing!

I used to play a large board game called Axis&Allies. the context of the game was WWII and the five factions would battle it out with troops, tanks, airforce, and naval ships. Sometimes games could last more than three hours.

Risk can get that way. ruthless.

See-- not a waste of time! Through the game play you were able to make a connection with our reading and how to integrate your reflections and learnings into real life. BAM! I'd say that's pretty useful!

Great connection!

This is way more productive than watching TV ;)

I think you might have the wrong URL here. It appears to link to the 1010! game.

Do you think this was intentional?

Do you see what he was saying from his point of view though? I think this is a limitation. It goes back to traditional school where everyone has to follow the same way of thinking.

In some sense I feel that puzzles do follow an algorithm because in the experience with my puzzle game there is always only one specific way to get to a solution.

Is there an end or does it keep going? Can someone "win" at this game?

Minecraft is a pretty deep game. Players have to manage resources, craft items for building and survival. You can even create complex circuit and switch systems for various reasons. It really engages the imagination as you can build and create what you need to get whatever job done you want in the game.

I play around with the game every now and then. I even got to create a short course for summer camp kids to teach them 3d animation using Minecraft characters and envrionment. Minecraft is used in education as well.

https://education.minecraft.net/

there is little evidence of this assumption. Of the tens-of-thousands of kids who play violent video games you'd think that there would be utter chaos in the streets. I am sure there is an effect on impressionable minds. I see violent video games a reflection of our violent war-obsessed culture we live in which kids are exposed to on a daily basis. We have elevated violence to an interactive art form through video games.

the basis of the whole "but school is boring" sentiment.

that's the one question that I would like the answer to. Of course there is no one right answer as every need and every game will be different. We will have to create answers that are conditional to the context they are applied.

It is great for people with overactive imaginations. Helps feed that hunger

It is interesting--destroying monsters and saving the universe with complete strangers is a hoot.

I wonder what kind of effects these types of games can have on reading for learners. The social dynamic opens up the experience than a single-player experience.

I can see how the engaging nature of video games can keep the learner's interest to the reading.

There are a lot of games that I zoom past the reading so I can get to the pewpew and fun stuff. But you miss out on much of the story that way. The final fantasy games and other rpgs I always read though.

I'm looking forward to the remake...

FFVII--such a great game

I didn't thing it would be entertaining either, but found myself watching and enjoying it.

I have heard guild wars 2 has a great community. I kind of got turned off by the WoW community when many people really got uppity about things and just couldn't enjoy the game. They took it far to seriously. It's a game. Have fun.

But that is when I started to realize that I was interested in observing the behaviors and analyzing in a way how the dynamic worked in MMOs

I am a console junkie, so I end up trading games in after a bit. I only own a handful at any time. Steam is a great platform. Great deals quit often.

Haven't played it, but looks fun.

Wow!

I've heard about this through an old classmate and, I think we did a twitter chat on it a few months ago through our pedago.me community. Any interest in joining the group? http://pedago.me/join-us/

Great connection! I took the Digital Storytelling course as well and curious at what point in the course did this light turn on for you?

back in the day, I really liked that game. It was challenging and kept my interest even when everybody died. I remeber hunting rabbits, or deer, or something.

Depends on the design of the game, but both characteristics can be true.

I am insterested in how gaming can empower adults' learning as well.

I heard this comment from a few people that they aren't into gaming, but they play games on their devices.

It's a weird feeling, isn't it? That is one of the reasons I play video games. Keeps my mind exercised.

The one thing that a lot of people lose as they get older, yet I think it is the most important thing to retain.

I remember arguing politics with another player in World of Warcraft. We clashed a bit, but when it came to accomplishing a shared goal in the game those differences were gone for the moment.

Great connection!

Love how you associate games with imagination and play vs video/board games!

Where in PA? I also grew up in rural PA!

I tend to focus on those aspects as well when I am playing or watching video games. I like to examine narrative and storytelling in games.

Goes to show what an impact games (video games in this instance) can have on players. I have had emotional reactions to games, not to the point of running to my parents bedroom--i was too old for that, but impactful moments that I still remember.

There are thousands out there that stream their gameplay for others to watch. You can find these streams on YouTube or Twitch.tv

I thought it was a novelty at first, but come to realize that it's a real thing that many people enjoy.

I also hope to engage with more theory. I think I get caught up with the play often times and haven't thought much about the learning that is taking place.

Music in games is one of my favorite parts.

This is kind of how I started with video games. I would only watch my brother play, but I would ask If I could read the dialogue for specific characters. This made me feel more connected to the characters. Many years later I still game with my brother.

Love the visual! Great post. I look forward to learning with you this semester!

Yes! i'm curious about this too since, I hate games :)

I have a similar experience with my older brother. He would play video games and I would watch over and over and over. But, I don't think I ever felt a sense of belonging because it was more or less a waiting game until I could "try" or watch TV.

I can relate to this 100%

Our system of education should nurture these individual passions, so they don't get lost in the quagmire of life.

Well stated. Ignoring this is counter-productive and will only hinder their growth, turning them into bitter, cynical creatures like me :)

Not being an educator myself, It helps to get that first-hand perspective.

No. Do your multiplication tables. That may be an old reference :)

Good way to put it. "games", or "play" don't have to mean the type of games you listed above. I feel like I am playing when I am creating graphics, or writing. So competition, winning, or success aren't necessarily the purpose of games or play.

This describes many learning journeys I have been on. I hope that this isn't the case for you with this class.

Why do you think this was?

I guess this probably wasn't VR then ;)

Virtual Reality simulation?

Are you familiar with the organization, Girls Who Code? I just left a comment on Annie's blog about this very thing. If not, I recommend checking it out. Seems like it might be something of interest to you: https://girlswhocode.com/

Me as well however, my older bro was glued to the TV and his video games. Your critique pretty much sums up my intro to play blog!

Great summary and synthesis!

Great connection! I attended a conference last fall and Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code, spoke about this very thing only in the computer science realm. It was fascinating to learn than even open and encouraging parents subconsciously influence girls to steer clear from computer science. In fact, she said that if girls don't take a computer science class in elementary school, they will never take one! As tech jobs become more in demand, it's so important to encourage girls to get involved-- game play could play a big part in this!

I come to feel this way no matter what I'm doing. So as long as I'm enjoying them, I try to forget about that.

I feel the same way, i've always taken them for granted so I can "escape" for a little bit. I hope to understand more about what we can learn from them.

Haha...I do prefer to play video games as well, but in some social events I find board games to be fun as well!

That's how I got started. Many years later we still game together. Of course he has a family now and ignores me more, but still...

I'm not a teacher, but I wonder how often this occurs with new teachers?

I had a summer class with Remi and it was intense, but different than anything I've previously had. I'm looking forward to the struggles of Games and Learning. I think we'll get just as much out as we put in.

Hopefully you'll gain more than just a another teaching tool.

This approach might be scary to some teachers, but this is what collaborative learning is about.

With younger kids, I think encouraging them to read a video game that has lots of text can be the perfect entry point.

Action-Adventure can have this too.