Every Coin Has Two Sides.
Q: Have you been told off by your parents/teacher for playing games? What was their reasons for that?
Main concepts for today:
The major concerns - see p94.
Tasks:
Benefits of playing games
Making friends -
Education of certain skills – Many simulation games teach you real life skills, such as driving and flying. Quizzes and puzzles can help to learn subject like Mathematics and English.
Development of thinking and strategy skills – Some games require the player to assess the situation, gather information and make decisions with plans and strategies. Practice makes consistency.
Eye-hand coordination most games require you watch the screen and control the characters with hands/fingers. The brain controls both to synchronise them. Playing games could help the three work better together by practising.
Better advertising effect – it is more effective at catching the attention of
Entertainment – enjoy the stories and gameplay after study or work
Bonding between family members or friends – playing multiplayer games can help the players to communicate more and better to build up a good relationship
Help the industry to grow Many people work in the industry. It is their living. Many new technologies could be developed as well.
Reflex time
Psychological factors
The use of sound - Because different sound can make people feel differently.
High pitched, fast-paced sound will make you feel excited, as if you are in the middle of the action
String instrumental sound or creaking door sound will make it scary.
It is the audio designer’s job to pick the right music scores and sound effects.
High score list – to show the few highest scores from different players.
It motivates you to play again and again, in order to be at the top of the list. It compels you to do so.
FPS first person shooter – the palyer sees through the eyes of the character.
FPS – frames per second – the speed of playing a movie. 24 fps or higher will make the movement look realistic.
Competition within the game or outside the game - competition is a major driving force for people to improve their skills and knowledge. Competition can built into the story or via multiple players playing on the network.
Peer pressure – pressure from friends and classmates, workmates to play or buy the same game, to a certain level. This is very powerful because everyone would like to fit in with mates.
Fun – having fun is one of the most common reasons for playing games. Make it fun packed and people will like it. We look for entertainment, enjoyment, good pastime.
Educational value – people, especially parents, are very keen to have games with educational value. If players can have fun when being educated, no one would be having any objections.
Expectations and the element of surprise
People usually have a set of expectations when sitting in front of a game. Surprises are always enjoyable experiences even if they are associated with fear or shock, such as special power-ups, random enemies, etc.
Levelling the character (protagonist) starts at a basic state of abilities and improves as the game progresses, such as in terms of strength, weapons, extra capabilites.