You ever wonder what it's like to be someone else?
Games can be a tool for expression.
At the same time, we can use that text to drive our own reflective practices.
So simple, but so educational in every sense of the word.
Circadia
This is just a quickie, but this game feels like a combination of Auditorium and the music stylings of Eufloria.
The downside is that it has been developed solely for the iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc).
Most importantly, in the Penny Arcade article where I found this, they consider how the game interacts with the concept of failure:
“The ‘no fail’ puzzle emerged organically actually,” Bieg explained. People were playing the game in long sessions even during the early prototype stages, and he wanted to know why. “Although the mechanic itself is extremely engaging, I observed that part of the reason was that retrying a puzzle didn’t cost the player anything at all. Therefore they were free to experiment and lose themselves in it without concern about losing progress or time. Each attempt the player is learning something new about the puzzle.” This became a central theme to the design: there is nothing about the game that judges your performances. You are just asked to interact. The only reward is another puzzle. There is no punishment.
The downside is that it has been developed solely for the iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc).
Most importantly, in the Penny Arcade article where I found this, they consider how the game interacts with the concept of failure:
“The ‘no fail’ puzzle emerged organically actually,” Bieg explained. People were playing the game in long sessions even during the early prototype stages, and he wanted to know why. “Although the mechanic itself is extremely engaging, I observed that part of the reason was that retrying a puzzle didn’t cost the player anything at all. Therefore they were free to experiment and lose themselves in it without concern about losing progress or time. Each attempt the player is learning something new about the puzzle.” This became a central theme to the design: there is nothing about the game that judges your performances. You are just asked to interact. The only reward is another puzzle. There is no punishment.
Playing effortlessly
POW! ZAP! Blinkblinkblink. This is the standard of video gaming that you're probably used to - in your face and demanding your attention. You need to be alert to act quickly, make the right choice and move to the right spot or you lose. Not anymore.
I recently found a game named Eufloria. Is it pleasant? Is it ever!
I recently found a game named Eufloria. Is it pleasant? Is it ever!
This is what good teaching looks like.
Be warned, this video is VERY adult-oriented. This guy swears ALOT. In spite of that, he is very intelligent and funny.
THIS IS AN EXPLICIT WARNING. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED ABOUT THE AUTHOR'S LANGUAGE.
THIS IS AN EXPLICIT WARNING. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED ABOUT THE AUTHOR'S LANGUAGE.
I'll admit it's a little... branchy...
But it's such a good song and would you believe it's about a video game? No, no, you probably wouldn't.
Games can inspire music just as much as they can inspire learning. Gaming can be the means, motive, and content of our lives if we let them be and it can still be universally palatable.
Games can inspire music just as much as they can inspire learning. Gaming can be the means, motive, and content of our lives if we let them be and it can still be universally palatable.
Not everything is puppies and cake...
In the very least I'd like to offer an opposing view of gamification. Be warned, the author is a bit...aggressive.
http://tinyurl.com/3cp9xoc
In my opinion, this is someone who does not understand the ACTUAL concept of gamification, that is to say, encouraging us to be productive through fun. But then, games aren't innocent either. If you look back at my first post, I referred to a particular webcast. This week they did a piece on propaganda games. Check it.
http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/propaganda-games
http://tinyurl.com/3cp9xoc
In my opinion, this is someone who does not understand the ACTUAL concept of gamification, that is to say, encouraging us to be productive through fun. But then, games aren't innocent either. If you look back at my first post, I referred to a particular webcast. This week they did a piece on propaganda games. Check it.
http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/propaganda-games
Real life 'cheevos
One of the driving forces behind games-based-learning (if you're on twitter, that's #gbl) is recognition. We already use recognition - what's that fancy piece of paper I got from going through university actually for, how about that A+ on your math test?
Mozilla seems to be developing a tool that makes use of achievements, or badges, and make them real. Also, maybe we can finally show all those things we did that have been hard to show.
Mozilla seems to be developing a tool that makes use of achievements, or badges, and make them real. Also, maybe we can finally show all those things we did that have been hard to show.
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